Mike Weir looking to repeat Augusta performance

Defending champion Mike Weir plans to follow the maxim 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' in his preparation for next week's U.S. Masters at Augusta National.

The Canadian left-hander, in sparkling early form on the 2003 PGA Tour before winning last year's title in a playoff, has produced a remarkably similar build-up in the United States this season.

Twelve months ago, he had won twice and collected two other top-10 placings in eight starts before arriving at Augusta. This year, he has won the Nissan Open and finished in the top five at the FBR Open and the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

After seven appearances on the 2004 PGA Tour, Weir has climbed to seventh in the money list with earnings of $1,446,867 and believes his game is in slightly better shape than it was this time last season.

"This year I've had one win and a couple of other pretty good finishes, so it's fairly similar to last year," the 33-year-old Weir said at a pre-Masters news conference.

"Overall maybe my game is just a little bit better this year than what it was last year, with the exception of the start of the year where I wasn't playing too well. But that's starting to come around.

"I'll try to keep things pretty much the same as last year (in the build-up to Augusta)."

Weir, who achieved his major breakthrough by edging out American journeyman Len Mattiace at the first extra hole last year, is champing at the bit to launch his title defence in the first of the year's four majors.

"I'm really excited about defending. Going back to the Masters as defending champion will be really special," he said. "It's probably my favourite tournament on the tour.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge to try to get around it there, like I did last year."

Weir became the first left-hander to win a major in 40 years at Augusta last April, a breakthrough that has done wonders for his overall confidence.

"Any time you win a major, I think there's probably a different level of respect because I think the players ultimately know how hard it is to win one," he said.

"And when you're able to do it, there's a little different level of respect. Definitely I have a little more confidence in my game now."

Fans of the game will vividly recall Weir's magical putting at last year's Masters, where he missed virtually nothing from 10 feet or less over the four days.

Long regarded as a rock-steady player with a superb putting touch, the hockey-mad Canadian believes his strength on and around the greens suits him for Augusta National.

"I think the thing I did well in even before last year was my short game," said Weir, who has not finished outside the top 28 in his four Masters starts.

"The first three years there I remembered I didn't strike the ball very well, but I was able to be really creative with my short game.

"I've always felt comfortable with little pitches and the different types of bunker shots and bump-and-runs and long shots that you have to hit around there.

"I always felt, if I can get my ball-striking at a little bit better level, that I'd really be able to contend around there. Last year, it did get a lot better."

Improved ball-striking completed a winning recipe for short-game specialist Weir at the 2003 U.S. Masters. Twelve months on, the Canadian sees no reason to change that formula.