Steve Marcus

Defending champion George McNeill plays in a Pro-Am during the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, on October 15, 2008. The tournament, part of the PGA Tour’s fall series, will be played through Sunday.

By Andy Samuelson

Thu, Oct 16, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Most casual golf fans might not know who George McNeill is. Those seeing his name plastered around Las Vegas this week, might remember he won the PGA Tour event held here last year.

But don’t think the Naples, Fla., native has forgotten what it took for that victory.

Better yet, McNeill now knows what it took for him just to play in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin this week.

“Everybody asks me how winning last year changed my life, and I said, ‘It didn’t really change me at all,’” said McNeill, before slyly admitting the extra cash did help him buy a new boat.

“I have the same friends. I treat them the same way. They treat me the same way, which is that they don’t let me down when they can get a good rib in. I still do a lot of the same things. I really honestly don’t think I’ve changed.”

But his life did change back in August when McNeil’s doctor noticed a golf-ball size cyst in his neck that initially was thought to be lymphoma.

It wasn’t, but the lump needed to be removed immediately, causing McNeill to miss five weeks of competition.

“It was just a brief health scare,” said McNeil, who is a 60-1 underdog to repeat as event champ. Mike Weir is a 12-1 favorite to win the tourney, which starts today through Sunday at TPC Summerlin.

“It was something that had to be assessed at the time. It has been assessed and everything is taken care of, and I’m all better.”

McNeill said he was comfortable coming back to Las Vegas, where he won his first title, even if the event has changed a bit with more star power from Timberlake this time around.

“Obviously with the stars, not only Justin, but some of the other people, actors and athletes that showed up to support the event, I think it’s wonderful,” he said. “And a lot of players that normally wouldn’t come here and play, are playing.

“A lot of players are raving about the golf course, saying how good it is and what kind of shape it is in.”

Now that McNeill is back in tip-top condition, he wouldn’t mind getting back on track where he started his win streak.

“Played a practice round yesterday and I can remember it like it was yesterday, walking around every round almost like last year,” McNeill said. “Remembering where I hit it. Definitely some good feelings.”