Boo Weekley donned the red plaid jacket the last two years and is gunning for an unprecedented third-straight Heritage title. On Monday he kicked off tournament week with a ceremonial drive into the sea, punctuated by a simultaneous Civil War cannon shot.

Four hours up the South Carolina coast, Woody Austin won the 15th annual Hootie & The Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament. Austin actually had some help, leading his team of amateurs including actor Bill Murray and Blowfish guitarist Mark Bryan.

A quiet week in coastal South Carolina (aside from cannon fire) is a fine way to decompress after an intense Masters. The Friday night soiree at the Hilton Head Marina, where yacht owners host lavish parties, is an annual extravaganza.

Other players come primarily for the golf on the short (6,973 yards), tight Harbour Town layout with small greens and crooked fairways.

“This is my favorite golf course for the golf course itself,” said Austin, who has made 31 of 37 cuts the last two years but doesn’t have a win since St. Jude (2007). “I love shot maker’s golf courses. But my game isn’t there, so I’m hoping to find something real quick.”

None of the key figures Sunday at Augusta — including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, champion Angel Cabrera, and playoff contenders Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell — are here this week.

That leaves the spotlight to players such as Paul Casey, Camilo Villegas, Zach Johnson, 2002 Heritage champion Justin Leonard, and, of course, the inimitable Boo, who liked the feel of the tartan jacket the second time.

“It fits about the same,” said Weekley. “This time I didn’t have fortune cookies in it. Mr. [Steve] Wilmot (tournament director) had cookies down there. Ate at a Chinese place, I think. He got some cookies stuck in there.”

Heritage Notes

» Myrtle Beach native Dustin Johnson made a ripple at Augusta Sunday, playing holes No. 13, 14, and 15 in 5-under-par.

» Steve Flesh will try to become the first left-hander to win the Heritage, now in its 41st year.

» Other past champions in the field: Aaron Baddeley (2006), Peter Lonard (2005), Jose Coceres (2001), Glen Day (1999), and Bob Tway (1995).

Five to Watch

Jim Furyk

Three top fives in his last five trips to Harbor Town demonstrate this shot makers’ course is made to order for Furyk who is playing well and is overdue — 13 top-10 finishes since last win in July of 2007.

Davis Love III

Playing close to home (Ga.) brings out the best in Love, who has won the Tartan jacket an unprecedented five times. First of his 20 PGA Tour titles came here in 1987. Also has six other top 10 finishes.

Stewart Cink

Missed the cut at the Masters (69-78), but plays well at Harbour Town winning in 2000 and  2004. Beat Ted Purdy in ’04 playoff when he legally removed chunks from a waste bunker, building a pyramid for his ball.

Ernie Els

Doesn’t fit the profile at Harbor Town, where the premium is on accuracy off tee, but you can’t argue with seven top-10s in nine starts at Hilton Head. Missed cut at Masters, but has five top-25s in eight starts.


Tim Clark

Has the game for Harbour Town’s tight fairways and small greens — top 20 in driving accuracy and greens in regulation. Best player on tour without a victory? Has been runner-up six times and has 33 top-10s in eight years.