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2001 PGA Championship Top Contenders
(Note: Listed in predicted order of finish, according to The Associated Press.) | | |
| Tiger Woods
Age: 25.
| Country: United States.
| Ranking: 1.
| Worldwide Victories: 34.
| Majors (6): Masters ('97, '01), PGA ('99, '00), U.S. Open ('00), British Open ('00).
| 2001 Majors: Masters--Won, U.S. Open--T-12, British Open--T25.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-Won, 99-Won, 98-T10, 97-T29, 96-DNP.
| Backspin: Charged up for a busy final stretch to his season.
Can become first player to win two majors in the same state in one
year, having already won down the road at Augusta. Length of the
course suits him better than last two major venues.
| |
| David Duval
Age: 29.
| Country: United States.
| Ranking: 3.
| Worldwide Victories: 13.
| Majors (1): British Open ('01).
| 2001 Majors: Masters-2, US Open-T16, British Open-Won.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-DNP, 99-T10, 98-Cut, 97-T13, 96-T41.
| Backspin: Scouting report shows that when he breaks through,
more victories follow quickly. Got rid of 'best to never win a
major' baggage at Royal Lytham with 65-67 on the weekend. Could
become only the third man to win British and PGA in the same year.
| |
| Phil Mickelson
Age: 31.
| Country: United States.
| Ranking: 2.
| Worldwide Victories: 20.
| Majors: None.
| 2001 Majors: Masters-3, U.S. Open-T7, British Open-T30.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T9, 99-T57, 98-T34, 97-T29, 96-T8.
| Backspin: Spotlight has never been more intense, especially
since Duval won his first major at the British. Aggressive nature
has produced an equal share of birdies and disasters. Once he
eliminates the mistakes, the questions about his heart will go
away.
| |
| Lee Westwood
Age: 28.
| Country: England.
| Ranking: 10.
| Worldwide Victories: 24.
| Majors: None.
| 2001 Majors: Masters-DNP, U.S. Open-MC, British Open-MC.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T15, 99-T16, 98-Cut, 97-T29, 96-Cut.
| Backspin: A European-born player hasn't won the PGA since
Tommy Armour in 1930, so history is not on the Englishman's side.
Good all-around game that doesn't get enough credit in these parts.
A lot like Duval in that when he wins, he wins in bunches. Just
starting to find his peak this year.
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| Ernie Els
Age: 31.
| Country: South Africa.
| Ranking: 4.
| Worldwide Victories: 32.
| Majors (2): U.S. Open ('94, '97).
| 2001 Majors: Masters-T6, US Open-T66, British Open-T3.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T34, 99-Cut, 98-T21, 97-T53, 96-T61.
| Backspin: Now that he realizes Woods won't win every major,
the Big Easy might realize he should have more than two. Back
problems kept him out from the U.S. Open until the British Open,
but he responded well. Needs a little more confidence putting.
| |
| Vijay Singh
Age: 38.
| Country: Fiji.
| Ranking: 5.
| Worldwide Victories: 30.
| Majors (2): PGA ('98), Masters ('00).
| 2001 Majors (2): Masters-T18, U.S. Open-T7, British Open-T13.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-Cut, 99-T49, 98-Won, 97-T13, 96-T5.
| Backspin: Best player not to have won this year on the PGA
Tour. In fact, his last American win was at last year's Masters.
Putting statistics have improved, but good ball-striking and a
strong will are what make him a contender.
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| David Toms
Age: 34.
| Country: United States.
| Ranking: 20.
| Worldwide Victories: 6.
| Majors: None.
| 2001 Majors (3): Masters-T31, US Open-T66, British Open-Cut.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T41, 99-Cut, 98-Cut, 97-Cut, 96-DNP.
| Backspin: Sneaky long off the tee, quietly effective
everywhere else on the course. He's due to contend seriously in a
major, especially since he's on the bubble for the Ryder Cup team.
| |
| Sergio Garcia
Age: 21.
| Country: Spain.
| Ranking: 7.
| Worldwide Victories: 4.
| Majors: None.
| 2001 Majors: Masters-MC, US Open-T12, British Open-T9.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T34, 99-2, 98-DNP, 97-DNP, 96-DNP.
| Backspin: Seems like forever since he played his first PGA and
hit that blind shot from behind a tree. Has matured - slowly - into
a well-rounded player and excellent putter, but needs to be driving
relatively straight to have a chance.
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| Brad Faxon
Age: 40.
| Country: United States.
| Ranking: 37.
| Worldwide Victories: 9.
| Majors: None.
| 2001 Majors: Masters-T10, US Open-Cut, British Open-T47.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T27, 99-T61, 98-T13, 97-Cut, 96-T17.
| Backspin: Worked hard on his swing last year and is much
improved, although putting will always be his strength. Tied
major-championship record with a 63 at Riviera in '95 to earn a
spot on the Ryder Cup team. Might need a similar finish this time.
| |
| Scott Hoch
Age: 45.
| Country: United States.
| Ranking: 21.
| PGA Tour Victories: 16.
| Majors: None.
| 2001 Majors: Masters-T37, US Open-T16, British Open-Cut.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T74, 99-T21, 98-T29, 97-6, 96-T61.
| Backspin: One of the most underappreciated players of his
generation, probably because he's been one of the most outspoken.
Two wins this year got him on the Ryder Cup team, but needs a major
to complete his career.
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| Jesper Parnevik
Country: Sweden.
| Age: 36.
| Ranking: 22.
| Worldwide Victories: 14.
| Majors: None.
| 2001 Majors: Masters-T20, US Open-T30, British Open-T9.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T51, 99-T10, 98-Cut, 97-T45, 96-T5.
| Backspin: Recovery from hip surgery caused him to make slight
changes in his swing, but he now has that worked out and has been
hitting it extremely well the past month. Wore jail stripe pants at
British Open. Polka dots would be a nice touch for Atlanta.
| |
| Darren Clarke
Age: 32.
| Country: Northern Ireland.
| Ranking: 9.
| Worldwide Victories: 10.
| Majors: None.
| 2001 Majors: Masters-24, US Open-T30, British Open-T3.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T9, 99-Cut, 98-DNP, 97-Cut, 96-DNP.
| Backspin: Starting to play his best golf with the Ryder Cup
approaching. Nearly put heat on Duval at the British Open until
making a mess of the 17th. A good head for majors, he doesn't get
overly excited or dejected. A big hitter, which helps on this
course.
| |
| Davis Love III
Age: 37.
| Country: United States.
| Ranking: 6.
| Worldwide Victories: 16.
| Majors (1): PGA ('97).
| 2001 Majors: Masters-Cut, US Open-T7, British Open-T21.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T9, 99-T49, 98-T7, 97-Won, 96-Cut.
| Backspin: Great start to the season with victory at Pebble
Beach to end 0-for-62 slump. Back and neck injuries make him
unpredictable, but he's one of the best drivers. If he's hitting it
well and feeling good, he'll be there.
| |
| Retief Goosen
Age: 32.
| Country: South Africa.
| Ranking: 16.
| PGA Tour Victories: 13.
| Majors (1): U.S. Open ('01).
| 2001 Majors: Masters-Cut, US Open-Won, British Open-T13.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-Cut, 99-Cut, 98-Cut, 97-T61, 96-DNP.
| Backspin: Made a strong bid at Royal Lytham until faltering in
the final round. Great iron player, excellent short game. The
problem he faces in PGA is driving, which is his weakness. If he
can keep it in play, he could be a factor again.
| |
| Colin Montgomerie
Age: 38.
| Country: Scotland.
| Ranking: 8.
| Worldwide Victories: 30.
| Majors: None.
| 2001 Majors: Masters-MC, U.S. Open-T52, British Open-T13.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T39, 99-T6, 98-T44, 97-T13, 96-Cut.
| Backspin: If window hasn't shut on his opportunity to win a
major, not much of a draft is getting in. One of the most
consistent swings in golf comes with one of the most inconsistent
putting strokes, which is a tough way to try to win a major. Had
putter going for one day at Lytham. Needs at least three days in
Atlanta.
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| Mike Weir
Age: 31.
| Country: Canada.
| Ranking: 11.
| Worldwide Victories: 5.
| Majors: None.
| 2001 Majors: Masters-T27, US Open-T19, British Open-Cut.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T30, 99-T10, 98-DNP, 97-DNP, 96-DNP.
| Backspin: Has only two PGA Tour victories, but he's a late
bloomer whose game is ready to go to the next level. Co-leader
after 54 holes with Woods at PGA two years ago. Has something in
common with Montgomerie -- has never won on American soil.
| |
| Stewart Cink
Age: 28.
| Country: United States.
| Ranking: 23.
| Worldwide Victories: 3.
| Majors: None.
| 2001 Majors: Masters-Cut, US Open-3, British Open-T30.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T15, 99-T3, 98-Cut, 97-Cut, 96-DNP.
| Backspin: Traded conservative style for aggressive play, and
it nearly got him a U.S. Open title. Familiar with the course from
his days at Georgia Tech. He's a good all-around player, but
pressure from being in his home state could work against him.
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| Bernhard Langer
Age: 43.
| Country: Germany.
| Ranking: 27.
| Worldwide Victories: 41.
| Majors (2): Masters ('85, '93).
| 2001 Majors: Masters-T6, US Open-T40, British Open-T3.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-DNP, 99-T46, 98-T61, 97-T23, 96-76.
| Backspin: Even before he won the Dutch Open, Langer was having
a resurgent year and will cap it off at the Ryder Cup. Not real
long off the tee, which could be a problem at Atlanta, but knows
how to score. His other two majors were also in Georgia (Masters).
| |
| Justin Leonard
Age: 29.
| Country: United States.
| Ranking: 35.
| Worldwide Victories: 5.
| Majors (1): British Open ('97).
| 2001 Majors: Masters-T27, U.S. Open-MC, British Open-Cut.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-T41, 99-Cut, 98-Cut, 97-2, 96-T5.
| Backspin: Might have wished he had waited one more year to
revamp his swing. Was geared up for a big summer until missing the
cut in the last two majors. Needs nothing short of a victory at the
PGA to make the Ryder Cup team.
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| Scott Verplank
Age: 37.
| Country: United States.
| Ranking: 28.
| Worldwide Victories: 4.
| Majors: None.
| 2001 Majors: Masters-T27, U.S. Open-MC, British Open-T30.
| Last 5 PGAs: 00-Cut, 99-T34, 98-T54, 97-DNP, 96-DNP.
| Backspin: A good week probably gets him on the Ryder Cup team.
Nothing fancy about him, but not a lot of weaknesses in his game,
either. Plagued by injuries throughout his career, but poised to
break through for his first major at a most opportune time.
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