United States Player Capsules
Posted: Tuesday December 08, 1998 12:04 AM
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- A capsule look at the 12 players on the U.S. team for the Presidents Cup (listed in order of finish in standings):
DAVID DUVAL
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Harry How/Allsport |
Age: 27
PGA Tour victories: 7
International victories: None
Majors: None
Cup experience: Presidents Cup (1996)
Cup record: 5-0
Backspin: Hard to believe he was left off the Ryder Cup team. Seven PGA Tour victories in last 14 months, plus scoring average and money titles, make good case for him as best player in the world. No real weakness in his game. Perfect record in the last Presidents Cup, paired with Mark O'Meara three times.
TIGER WOODS
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Craig Jones/Allsport |
Age: 22
PGA Tour victories 7
International victories: 2
Majors: Masters (1997)
Cup experience: Ryder Cup (1997)
Cup record: 1-3-1
Backspin: Will be playing for fourth straight week, so rust shouldn't be a problem. One of the best match-play games in America, despite his poor showing at Valderrama. Putting cost him World Match Play Championship against O'Meara, won him Grand Slam of Golf against Vijay Singh.
JIM FURYK
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Harry How/Allsport |
Age: 28
PGA Tour victories: 3
International victories: 1
Majors: None
Cup experience: Ryder Cup (1997)
Cup record: 1-2-0
Backspin: On paper, a good fit for Royal Melbourne - accurate driver with surprising length, and one of the best putters. Won for the first time in three years in Las Vegas, but hasn't proved to be a great closer.
JUSTIN LEONARD
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Vincent Laforet/Allsport |
Age: 26
PGA Tour victories: 4
International victories: 1
Majors: British Open (1997)
Cup experience: Ryder Cup (1997), Presidents Cup (1996)
Cup record 1-5-2 (PC: 1-3-0)
Backspin: By the end of the year was slowly getting back to form. Should have won Texas Open and had outside chance in Tour Championship. Match play record somewhat surprising considering how well he thinks his way around the course. When his putter gets hot, he's almost unbeatable.
PHIL MICKELSON
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Mark Lyons/Allsport |
Age: 28
PGA Tour victories: 13
International victories: 1
Majors: None
Cup experience: Ryder Cup (1995, 1997), Presidents Cup (1994, 1996)
Cup record: 7-4-5 (PC: 3-3-3)
Backspin: One of the most consistent players in golf, with 12 wins as a professional in his first six years on tour. Solid in match play, particularly singles. After hot month of August, took time off and it showed. Missed cut at Disney and would have at Tour Championship if there had been one.
DAVIS LOVE III
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Jon Ferrey/Allsport |
Age: 34
PGA Tour victories: 13
International victories: 2
Majors: PGA Championship (1997)
Cup experience: Ryder Cup (1993, 1995, 1997), Presidents Cup (1994, 1996)
Cup record: 12-10-1 (PC: 7-2-1)
Backspin: One of the most reliable Americans in match-play, but a real question mark this year because of back problems. Decided to withdraw from Million Dollar Challenge when back flared up in Shark Shootout, so will have gone a month without playing before Presidents Cup. Has been driving the ball superbly this year, which should be a plus at Royal Melbourne.
MARK O'MEARA
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Andy Lyons/Allsport |
Age: 41
PGA Tour victories: 16
International victories: 7
Majors: Masters (1998), British Open (1998)
Cup experience: Ryder Cup (1985, 1989, 1991, 1997), Presidents Cup (1996)
Cup record: 9-7-1 (PC: 5-0-0)
Backspin: Would be a great place to cap off a great year. He has game and always has, even if it took a couple of majors for everyone to realize it. Trounced Singh in the World Match Play and rallied to beat Woods. Superb putter and can make them when they matter.
LEE JANZEN
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Peter Janzen/Allsport |
Age: 34
PGA Tour victories: 8
International victories: None
Majors U.S. Open (1993, 1998)
Cup experience: Ryder Cup (1997)
Cup record: 2-1-0
Backspin: A surprise member to the team, as Hal Sutton dropped out of the event. Added because he was 13th on the U.S. rankings. Experience in match play, as he competed in this year's Grand Slam of Golf and '97 Ryder Cup.
SCOTT HOCH
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Ezra O. Shaw/Allsport |
Age: 43
PGA Tour victories: 8
International victories: 6
Majors: None
Cup experience: Ryder Cup (1997), Presidents Cup (1994, 1996)
Cup record: 7-2-2 (PC: 5-2-1)
Backspin: The only U.S. team member who failed to win this year. Regarded as one of the best ball-strikers in golf, certainly one of the most underrated. Good match play record. One of the few Americans who had a winning record at Valderrama. Iron play should be to his advantage at Royal Melbourne.
MARK CALCAVECCHIA
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Harry How/Allsport |
Age: 38
PGA Tour victories: 9
International victories: 5
Majors: British Open (1989)
Cup experience Ryder Cup (1987, 1989, 1991)
Cup record: 5-5-1
Backspin Never met a pin he didn't like (to attack). Won Honda Classic in March and played consistently well. Set goal of making Presidents Cup team, his first matches since the 1991 Ryder Cup. Peculiar match-play record: 4-0 in alternate shot, 0-4 in best ball.
FRED COUPLES
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Harry How/Allsport |
Age: 39
PGA Tour victories: 14
International victories: 5
Majors: Masters (1992)
Cup experience: Ryder Cup (1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997), Presidents Cup (1994, 1996)
Cup record: 13-10-4 (PC: 6-1-0)
Backspin: Most experienced American in cup matches, playing on his eighth consecutive team. When he takes time to prepare for tournaments, he's difficult to beat. Owns the Presidents Cup highlights show - the 9-iron to 2 feet to clinch the first cup, the 35-foot birdie putt to beat Singh last year.
JOHN HUSTON
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Andy Lyons/Allsport |
Age: 37
PGA Tour victories: 5
International victories: None
Majors: None
Cup experience: Presidents Cup (1994)
Cup record: 1-3-0
Backspin: May have a soulmate in Couples: easygoing swing, easygoing nature. Returned from miserable year to win twice, set a PGA Tour scoring record and play his way onto the team. Good length, good all-around game.
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