One
of the brightest young talents on the horizon. After a victory at the Kemper Open
in June, his life came apart in July when his wife was killed in an accident in
London. Hasn't played much since, but should feel at home on his home turf of
Australia, in good form narrowly missing winning the Australian Open coming tied
for second.
Steve Elkington
Age
36
Presidents Cup record: 5-4-1
World Ranking: 16 11 Career Wins
Another
of the Australians, Elkington shares the lead for most Presidents Cup wins on
the team. A series of medical injuries hampered his 1997-98 seasons, but by August
he was back on track, winning the Buick Challenge. Won with Greg Norman the recent
Shark Shootout.
Ernie Els
Age
29
Presidents Cup record: 3-1-1
World Ranking: 5 27 Career Wins
2
time US Open winner Els was early in the season the No. 1 ranked player in the
world. But his back acted up prior to the 1998 U.S. Open and he struggled the
rest of the year. Els makes a lot of birdies, a valuable weapon when playing in
team formats.Planning to marry on New Years Day.
Carlos
Franco
Age 33
Presidents
Cup record: First Appearance
World Ranking: 38 5 Career
Wins
Born and raised in Paraguay,
a country with only three golf courses. Franco has made a name for himself on
the Japanese Tour, where all his wins have taken place, twice this year. Made
biggest international headlines by winning 1993 Dunhill Cup match against Sam
Torrance. Won his US PGA Tour card for 1999 at recent Q-School.
Shigeki
Maruyama
Age 29
Presidents
Cup record: First Appearance
World Ranking: 40 8 Career
Wins
One of the stars of the Japanese
Tour, Maruyama broke through in 1997 with three victories. Made a name for himself
internationally with a top-10 finish at the 1997 British Open. Made the cut in
all six PGA Tour events he played in in 1997, and earned over $100,000 in that
year on the US PGA Tour.
Frank Nobilo
Age
38
Presidents Cup record: 3-6-1
World Ranking: 57 12 Career wins
One
of the captain's choices, Nobilo struggled in 1998. After winning for first time
on PGA Tour and finishing 23rd on money list in 1997, fell to 108th this year
following injury problems. Erratic iron play and inconsistent putting were his
downfall this season, but the New Zealand player should be comfortable in Melbourne.
Greg
Norman
Age 43
Presidents
Cup record: 3-2-0
World Ranking: 17 74 Career wins
The
man responsible for getting the Presidents Cup in Australia, Norman missed 7 months
of 1998 due to shoulder surgery. Determined to rehab in time to play in this event,
and responded by winning Shark Shootout in November in first action. Good at all
aspects of game with killer instinct and a local favourite.
Joe Ozaki
Age
42
Presidents Cup record: First Appearance
World Ranking: 56 28 Career Wins
Part
of the famous Ozaki brothers, got into this event when older brother Jumbo declined
to play. Played on United States tour for five years before returning to Japanese
Tour full time in 1997, his best finish being a tied second at the Buick Open.
A member of four Dunhill Cup and one World Cup teams.
Craig Parry
Age
32
Presidents Cup record: 3-5-0
World Ranking: 51 15 Career Wins
The
Australia native went through an ordinary year on the US PGA Tour, finishing 98th
on money list. Best year was 1996 when he finished 43rd on money list and finished
second twice. Strong putter.
Nick Price
Age
42
Presidents Cup record: 2-5-2
World Ranking: 8 39 Career Wins
Playing
in his third Presidents Cup, the two-time PGA Player of the Year had his fifth
$1 million season on the tour. He won the St Judes Classic this year and is in
good form following his wins at the Zibabwe Open and Sun City Million Dollar challenge.
Vijay
Singh
Age 35
Presidents
Cup record: 5-4-1
World Ranking: 9 25 Career Wins
Tied
with Elkington for most career Presidents Cup wins for team, Singh had a breakthrough
year in 1998. He won his first major at PGA Championship and followed up the next
week with a win at the Sprint International, finished second on money list and
was nominated for Player of Year. Won last event he played in - Jonnie Walker
Super Tour.
Greg Turner
Age
35
Presidents Cup record: First Appearance
World Ranking: 61 9 Career Wins
Turner
joins Frank Nobilo as the second captain's choice from New Zealand. Has twice
tied for second and once tied for third on the European Tour this year, finishing
27th on the Volvo Ranking with more than £210,000.
U.S.Team
PLAYER
STATS
PROFILE
Mark Calcavecchia
Age
38
Presidents Cup record: First Appearance
World Ranking: 21 14 Career Wins
Coming
off the most successful season of his career, finishing 12th on the money list
and winning the Honda Classic. A Presidents Cup rookie, Calcavecchia has played
on three Ryder Cup teams in 1987, 98 & 91. Strength is his accurate iron play.
Fred Couples
Age
39
Presidents Cup record: 6-1-0
World Ranking: 11 18 Career Wins
Second
all-time in Presidents Cup victories, Couples has never missed this event. He
also is a veteran of five Ryder Cup contests. A captain's choice, he comes to
Australia on the heels of a wonderful season with two wins and ninth on money
list. Clinched the wins at the previous two Presidents Cup events.
David Duval
Age
27
Presidents Cup record: 4-0-0
World Ranking: 3 7 Career Wins
Did
everything possible except win a major in 1998, winning a tour-best four times
and capturing the money and scoring titles. Gained his first team experience in
the 1996 Presidents Cup, winning all four matches he played. A long hitter and
great putter, Duval has become one of the the best players in the world.
Jim Furyk
Age
28
Presidents Cup record: First Appearance
World Ranking: 12 3 Career Wins
Despite
an unorthodox swing, the most consistent player in golf, with 25 top-10 finishes
over the past two seasons, and two top 5's in this years Majors. Weakness is his
ability to close things out with just one win over those two years. Beat Nick
Faldo in singles play in the 1997 Ryder Cup but lost both team matches.
Scott Hoch
Age
43
Presidents Cup record: 5-2-1
World Ranking: 20 14 Career Wins
Had
his third straight $1 million season, but failed to win for the first time since
1993, though had two second places. Hoch has not missed a Presidents Cup, going
3-1 in the 1996 matches. Not very long off the tee, Hoch makes up for it as one
of the best iron players on the US PGA Tour.
John Huston
Age
37
Presidents Cup record: 1-3-0
World Ranking: 28 5 Career Wins
The
second captain's choice, Huston had a remarkable 1998 which included two victories
and 10th on the money list. Led the tour in all-around statistics during a year
which included setting a new record for scoring by winning the Hawaiian Open with
28-under par.
Lee Janzen
Age
34
Presidents Cup record: First Appearance
World Ranking: 23 8 Career Wins
Janzen
replaces Hal Sutton, who withdrew five days before the start of competition after
his father-in-law died of a heart attack. Janzen won the U.S. Open in June, his
second -- his only win since 1995. Janzen was the first alternate for the U.S.
team.
Justin Leonard
Age
26
Presidents Cup record: 1-3-0
World Ranking: 15 4 Career Wins
Leonard
has won four times on the PGA Tour, coming from five strokes back on Sunday in
three instances. Has struggled in team competition, going 0-2-2 in the 1997 Ryder
Cup and just 1-3 in the 1996 Presidents Cup. Won the 1998 Players Championship.
Davis Love III
Age
34
Presidents Cup record: 7-2-1
World Ranking: 4 14 Career Wins
The
all-time leader in Presidents Cup wins with seven, Love has struggled with back
problems in 1998. Already pulled out of Million Dollar Challenge this month because
of back, it could limit him on two-match days. A long hitter who has reached the
game's elite in the last two seasons moving him into 4th in the rankings.
Phil Mickelson
Age
28
Presidents Cup record: 3-3-3
World Ranking: 10 14 Career Wins
Suffered
through a streaky season in 1998, winning twice and finishing fifth on money list,
but playing miserably at times. At 28, already has 13 PGA Tour victories, played
on two Ryder Cup teams and appearing in Presidents Cup for third time. A creative
talent around the green and long off the tee.
Mark O'Meara
Age
41
Presidents Cup record: 5-0-0
World Ranking: 2 23 Career Wins
The
PGA's Player of the Year thanks to victories at both The Masters and British Open.
Also won the World Matchplay beating Tiger Woods, which bodes well for this event,
and was perfect 5-0 in 1996 Presidents Cup. Four-time Ryder Cup member, his great
putting makes up for average distance.
Tiger Woods
Age
22
Presidents Cup record: First Appearance
World Ranking: 1 9 Career Wins
Only
found the winner's circle once in 1998, but game is as solid as ever, and remains
number one in the rankings. People tend to forget he is just 22 years old, but
still had a very solid 1998, 13 top 10's in 20 starts on the US PGA tour. The
1997 Player of the Year, gets a huge advantage with his length but has struggled
with the putter this year. A disappointing 1-3-1 in 1997 Ryder Cup.
