International Team Capsules
Posted: Friday December 11, 1998 07:25 PM
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Capsule look at the 12 players on the International team for the Presidents Cup (listed in order of finish in standings):
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Craig Jones/Allsport | ERNIE ELS
Age: 29
Country: South Africa
International victories: 21
PGA Tour victories: 6
Majors: U.S. Open (1994, 1997)
Presidents Cup: 1996
Presidents Cup record: 3-1-1
Backspin: Despite winning on PGA Tour for the fifth straight year, disappointing season because of back spasms that first occurred the week before his defense of the U.S. Open. Should be well rested and has one of the best games in the world. Whipped Tiger Woods and Davis Love III in 36-hole Sunday to win Bay Hill, which elevated him to No. 1 in the world for eight weeks.
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Craig Jones/Allsport |
NICK PRICE
Age: 41
Country: Zimbabwe
International victories: 21.
PGA Tour victories: 16.
Majors: British Open (1994), PGA Championship (1992, 1994).
Presidents Cup: 1994, 1996.
Presidents Cup record: 2-5-2.
Backspin: Surprisingly poor record in Presidents Cup, but his game has never been in peak form for the matches. Continues to make strides back toward blockbuster seasons in 1993-94, when he was the best in the world. Good iron player, streaky putter.
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Andy Lyons/Allsport |
VIJAY SINGH
Age: 35
Country: Fiji
International victories: 18
PGA Tour victories: 7
Majors: PGA Championship (1998)
Presidents Cup: 1994, 1996
Presidents Cup record: 5-4-1
Backspin: Career year based on his victory at Sahalee for his first major, followed by a win the next week at the Sprint International and near-miss at Tour Championship. Excellent ball-striker off the tee and with his irons, and strong record in match play. Will be particularly tough if he gets an early lead.
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Jonathan Ferrey/Allsport |
GREG NORMAN
Age: 43
Country: Australia
International victories: 56
PGA Tour victories: 18
Majors: British Open (1986, 1993)
Presidents Cup: 1996
Presidents Cup record: 3-2-0
Backspin: A real question mark because of the seven months he missed this season after shoulder surgery. Appears to be coming back quickly, and as strong as ever, but will not have been thoroughly tested. His lone victory of the year came at the Holden Classic in Australia.
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Ezra O. Shaw/Allsport |
STEVE ELKINGTON
Age: 36
Country: Australia
International victories: 2
PGA Tour victories: 9
Majors: PGA Championship (1995)
Presidents Cup: 1994, 1996
Presidents Cup record: 5-4-1
Backspin: Health problems - sinus surgery, viral meningitis and a pinched nerve - are behind him. One of the smoothest swings in golf and an edge to him as a competitor. He and Norman played well together in Shark Shootout, both in best ball and alternate shot. Could prove to be the backbone of the International team.
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Stephen Munday/Allsport |
STUART APPLEBY
Age: 27
Country: Australia
International victories: None
PGA Tour victories: 2
Majors: None
Presidents Cup: None
Presidents Cup record: 0-0-0
Backspin: Rising young star whose life was turned upside down by the death of his wife, Renay, the week after the British Open. Returned at the PGA Championship and missed the cut. Has shown steady improvement, although he got hammered by Lee Westwood in the World Match Play Championship.
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Stephen Munday/Allsport |
CARLOS FRANCO
Age: 33
Country: Paraguay
International victories: 6
PGA Tour victories: None
Majors: None
Presidents Cup: None
Presidents Cup record: 0-0-0
Backspin: His tune-up for the Presidents Cup was Q-school, where he earned his PGA Tour card by one stroke - putting with a driver on the final five holes after becoming dissatisfied with his putter. Has now held a card on every major professional circuit in the world. Played this year on Japanese Tour, winning twice.
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Andrew Redington/Allsport |
SHIGEKI MARUYAMA
Age: 29
Country: Japan
International victories: 6
PGA Tour victories: None
Majors: None
Presidents Cup: None
Presidents Cup record: 0-0-0
Backspin: Considered by some as the next Jumbo Ozaki, only he gets out of Japan more often. Among the early leaders at British Open and PGA Championship and tied for 11th at the World Series. Won Japan Match Play Championship last year.
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Jamie Squire/Allsport |
CRAIG PARRY
Age: 32
Country: Australia
International victories: 17
PGA Tour victories: None
Majors: None
Presidents Cup: 1994, 1996
Presidents Cup record: 3-5-0
Backspin: Nicknamed "Popeye" for his big forearms, has been a PGA Tour member since 1992 but all his success has come overseas. Powerful game for his size, has had two good runs in the majors - tied for midway lead in '92 Masters, T3 in '93 U.S. Open.
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Gary Newkirk/Allsport |
JOE OZAKI
Age: 42
Country: Japan
International victories: 28
PGA Tour victories: None
Majors: None
Presidents Cup: None
Presidents Cup record: 0-0-0
Backspin: Qualified for team only when big brother Jumbo decided not to play this year. Failed to win on Japanese Tour this year, but made the cut in 12 of 17 events on PGA Tour. Has played in 16 Japan Match Play Championships, with 23-15 record and one victory.
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Andrew Redington/Allsport |
FRANK NOBILO
Age: 38
Country: New Zealand
International victories: 13
PGA Tour victories: 1
Majors: None
Presidents Cup: 1994, 1996
Presidents Cup record: 3-6-1
Backspin: One of the captain's pick, primarily because of his vast experience in match play - nine World Cups, 12 Dunhill Cups and the past two Presidents Cups. Has a history of playing his best in the majors, but missed the cut in three of them this year. Freak injury late in the year - struck above left eye by errant tee shot at Lake Nona.
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Tim Matthews/Allsport |
GREG TURNER
Age: 35
Country: New Zealand
International victories: 11
PGA Tour victories: None
Majors: None
Presidents Cup: None
Presidents Cup record: 0-0-0
Backspin: The second captain's pick because he matches up well with Nobilo and has a wealth of national team experience. Hasn't won since the British Masters last year.
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