Celebratory lark turns into painful episode for Weathers

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- What started as one of the most unintentionally hilarious blooper-reel moments in recent PGA Tour history no longer rings funny at all.

Indeed, Jim Weathers isn't laughing, because if he did, it would cause him even more physical discomfort.

Weathers, a popular physical therapist with a roster of tour clients that includes Phil Mickelson, was wrestled to the ground by a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police moments after the final round of the Canadian Open on July 27.

Jim Weathers is taken down by a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in July. (AP)

Initially, when the incident was captured on TV, it seemed downright comical, especially to those familiar with Weathers, a bodybuilder and former Green Beret who was attempting to spray a bottle of champagne on rookie winner and client Chez Reavie, who had just won his first tour title.

Seemingly out of nowhere, a uniformed RCMP cop appeared and grabbed Weathers from behind in a forearm choke hold, dragging him to the ground as the bubbly sprayed wildly. Weathers, who is credentialed by the tour and permitted inside the ropes, was presumably viewed as a security risk, even though Weathers said he had been stationed near the 18th green for several minutes, bottle in hand.

Weathers said that after the adrenaline wore off, it was clear the choke hold aggravated an injury he sustained in 1999 while lifting weights. Nine years ago, he broke his neck when a heavy barbell fell on him while doing squat lifts, and during the resulting surgeries a plastic insert was placed near his Adam's apple, near his vocal chords, which had been damaged. He has a six-inch scar on the back of his neck as a result of the procedure.

The officer grabbed him so violently, Weathers said he began spitting blood and had to visit a doctor at last week's tour stop in Akron, Ohio, for an exam.

It was determined that the plastic insert in his throat had been damaged and dislodged. Weathers said he is facing more surgery, and as for who was footing the bill, he said with a shrug, "Me, I guess."

Weathers, whose raspy voice was barely audible as he related the story on Wednesday at the 90th PGA Championship, said he had been contacted by several attorneys but hadn't decided how to proceed legally, if at all. He indicated the surgery could happen as soon as this week.

"Yeah, it wasn't so funny after all," he said.