Camilo Villegas: Here comes the Spider-Man

"Sergio will win a major, but Camilo might just get there first," Feherty says. "He has that Latin bravado that Seve had, he has the swing, and he wants to be there in the big moments. He welcomes it. He's not content to just make a few million and get laid, which describes most players out there. He's got that ego you need to be great. The player he reminds me of most is Tiger. They both have this hunger. Of course, Camilo doesn't have to deal with what Tiger does. Camilo's biggest worry is, 'Hmm, I think I'll take the one with the big cans.'"

Villegas' college coach isn't ready to send his former charge to the World Golf Hall of Fame just yet. But he compares Villegas favorably to some fellow Gators who've made noise on Tour, including Chris DiMarco. "Camilo is capable of being a top-10 player," says Alexander, 54, now in his 21st year at Florida. "He's not the best putter. He's not the best driver. He's not the best short-iron player. What sets him apart is that everything he does has a purpose, a focus. He has balance. He was skinny, 140 pounds, when he arrived here, so he lived in the weight room, packed on all that muscle. But he took care of all areas in his life: school, golf, girls. He knows who he is, and he's utterly comfortable in his own skin. Will he be comfortable with the lead on the 16th tee on Sunday? We don't know yet. I guarantee you, though: He wants to be there. He won a lot in college. He's a killer. Behind that playful kid there's a son of a bitch who will take a knife, carve your heart out and show it to you on the first tee."

If his grand plan to grab golf by the hair and drag it back to his cave falls through, Villegas would make a great White House press secretary. At times his lips are tighter than a coach-class seat. While he doesn't have Tiger's resume, Villegas already displays a Woodsian ability to sidestep questions.

What's Tiger like? Any trash-talking between you two?

"We joke and mess around. He's a good guy, with a good sense of humor."

Rumor has it, when Tiger whomped a yellow-clad Garcia at the '06 British Open, he texted a friend, "I just bludgeoned Tweety Bird." He didn't needle you some?

"We have thick skins. It's great to play with him. It's all business out there."

You like to take risks on the course. What's the biggest risk you've taken in life?

"Growing up in Colombia, I did some crazy things." Long pause. "But no, it was fun being a kid and growing up."

Being a kid is fun — got it. OK, what's the 17th biggest risk you've ever taken?

"I like going fast. I like motorcycles."

What kind of motorcycles?

"None. I don't have any."

But you just said you like motorcycles.

"OK, I do have one." Sly grin. "The only thing I can say is, it's more for my dad than for me."