Villegas looking at chance to justify all the buzz

NORTON, Mass. -- When Camilo Villegas came to the United States to begin his freshman year in college, his English was, at best, halting and spotty. That was when he opened his mouth at all.

Camilo Villegas says, 'I'll try to bring my A game' to Monday's final round. (AP)

Initially, he was hesitant to speak publicly, afraid he would utter something embarrassing or use the wrong phrase. By the time he graduated four years later, he was an academic All-American with a grade-point average of around 3.8 and a degree in business.

"I could understand more than I could speak it, and it was more about being a little shy," he said. "Then one day I said, you know what, to hell with it, I'm just going to open my mouth, and whatever comes out, comes out."

He can talk the talk. Now it's time to walk the walk -- and he has 18 holes remaining at TPC Boston.

His three-year transition to the PGA Tour has been almost as fluid, although as it relates to winning, not nearly as fluent. After a series of close calls over his 84 career starts, Villegas faces another big exam on Monday, when he'll begin the final round within one shot of leader and playing partner Mike Weir, who birdied the last hole to finish 17 under par.

"I'll try to bring my A game," Villegas said.

That would represent an overdue passing grade for Villegas, who has been a star-in-waiting for far too long based on the perch he occupies in the perceived player pantheon.

After making a splashy debut as a rookie in 2006, nearly knocking off Tiger Woods at Doral before finishing second, Villegas has been a prominent member of the tour, thanks in large part to the relentless promotion of the circuit's publicity machine. Unfortunately, he hasn't validated the propaganda with a win in the States and the celebrity meter is running.

He's had plenty of chances to translate, if you will, the hype onto a victory.

"I knew that question was coming," he said, laughing.

No question, it's time to prove that the nattily attired Colombian, 26, has the substance to match the style.

If you don't believe the notion that he's been prematurely shoved into the spotlight despite his resume, refer to the comments of rising American standout Hunter Mahan in his controversial Golf Magazine interview published in August, where he took a few pot shots at the PGA of America and the tour.

"They try to get Camilo out there as much as any player I've ever seen, basically because, while he's good-looking and young, he's also Colombian," said Mahan, who has won on tour. "He's Latin. They don't do the Americans many favors."