Tom Lehman: The U.S. Ryder Cup captain will be more than a casual observer this weekend when the Presidents Cup matches unfold on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Lake Manassas, Va. Chances are he’ll be paying close attention to how U.S. Captain Jack Nicklaus gets the job done -- or doesn’t get it done -- in the matches against the International team.

Actually, Lehman has kept a very low profile lately, and it’s not necessarily of his choice or liking. “I’ve been fighting injuries,’’ said Lehman, whose bum knee and bad right foot have created a new problem with his hips. “So I’ve spent the past (five weeks) rehabbing and trying to get in shape.’’

The Scottsdale pro said he has noticed “a definite correlation’’ between his health and his results.

“When I feel good, I play good. And when I feel lousy, I play lousy,’’ Lehman explained. A quick scan of his results from 2005 bear this out.

During the first part of the season, when he recorded runner-up finishes in Buick Invitational and Players Championship, “I felt great.’’ Then the summer set in, and so did the injuries, as the only cut he’s made since June 1 came at the WGC-NEC Invitational (tie for 41 st), a no-cut event.

“It’s all about walking, or not walking,’’ he said. “When I walk the course and my knee and foot hurts, it tends to make my hips tighten. One thing leads to another, and none of it is good.’’

For the most part, he’s taken the summer off to do some architectural work on golf courses and be with his wife, Melissa, and their four kids. One of the golf course projects, Tucson National, has been close to home, while the other has required numerous trips to Canada.

“The new 18 at Tucson National, which is a combination of nine old holes that we renovated and nine new ones we built, turned out great,’’ he said. “Even though it’s a par-70 and only a little over 6,500-plus, I think people will really find it fun to play.

“The other course we’ve been working on is near Toronto, and it’s beautiful. It’s called the Raven at Lora Bay, which follows the Ravens we did at Verrado (in Buckeye) and Copper Mountain (in Colorado).’’

But the course work will come to a standstill soon, Lehman added. “I’ve been working a lot, but I’ve been practicing a lot, too,’’ he said. “So I’m planning to return (to the PGA Tour) next week at Greensboro, and maybe I’ll be able to put together another respectable fall like last year.’’

For some it might be a lost season, but Lehman isn’t in bad shape despite the injuries. He currently is No. 41 on the money list with $1,467,368 and ranked No. 31 in the world.

NOTEWORTHY

SWPGA honors: The Southwest Section of the PGA will honor numerous East Valley professionals when the organization meets on Oct. 19 at Paradise Valley Country Club. Among those being feted will be

Donald Crawley of the Boulders (Teacher of the Year); Curt Hudek of the professional golf management school at ASU East (Horton E. Smith Award for ongoing education); Joe Shershenovich, the director of golf at Grayhawk Golf Club (Bill Strausbaugh Club Relations Award); and merchandiser of the year honors for Mike Humphries of Dove Valley Ranch (public category), and Jeff Lessig of We-Ko-Pa (resort).

No ASU: Philip Francis, the 16-year-old from Scottsdale who was low amateur in last week’s Cingular Wireless Arizona Open after ending up tied for fourth, said he’s still unsure whether he’ll play college golf or go pro. “If I do go to school, I’d like to stay out west and go somewhere like USC, UCLA, UNLV, Texas or Oklahoma State,’’ said the No.-ranked junior boys player in the country who turns 17 on Oct. 20. “ASU? I want to get a little bit away from home, so probably not ASU.’’

And finally: Don’t miss Mardi Gras Night for the Victims of Hurricane Katrina, which is 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday night at Legend Trail Golf Club in Scottsdale. The event features New Orleans-style food and music, and a large silent auction that runs the gamut from cowboy boots to jewelry to artwork to a case of wine. Tickets are $60, and reservations recommended at 480-488-7434.