Ernie Els Country: South Africa. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1989. Career Highlight: Els won his second U.S. Open in 1997 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, becoming the first foreign player to win multiple U.S. Opens since Alex Smith in 1906 and 1910. Els won his first Open in 1994 at Oakmont in a playoff over Colin Montgomerie and Loren Roberts. Presidents Cup Experience: 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: Was second in the first three majors this year, well behind Tiger Woods in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and the British Open at St. Andrews. Els should feel right at home in the D.C. area: Whiskey Creek, a public course in Ijamsville, Md., is Els's first foray into golf course architecture. Vijay Singh Country: Fiji. Age: 37. Turned pro: 1982. Career Highlight: With a steady 3-under-par 69 in the final round, Singh kept a group of challengers at arm's length to win the Masters this spring, his second major championship to complement his 1998 PGA title. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994, 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: Known widely as the hardest worker on Tour, Singh spends hours practicing, particularly on his putting. Some reports put the number of putters he owns at close to a thousand, and he once used a different putter for each round of a tournament. He also has experimented with different grips and methods, including conventional, cross-handed and long putters. Nick PriceCountry: Zimbabwe. Age: 43. Turned pro: 1977. Career Highlight: After winning the British Open and the PGA Championship in 1994, Price was widely considered the best player in the world. At that British Open, at Turnberry, he overcame a two-stroke deficit to Jesper Parnevik over the final three holes with an eagle-birdie-par finish. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994, 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: Price is one of many players who takes a private jet between events. Not only is Price a licensed pilot, he owns his own plane, which he bought used. The previous owner? International teammate Greg Norman. Shigeki Maruyama Country: Japan. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Virtually unknown in the United States entering the 1998 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne, Maruyama went 5-0, tying the Presidents Cup record set by Mark O'Meara in 1996, to lead the International team to an upset of the United States. In one match, he made a 35-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to lead him and Craig Parry over Tiger Woods and Fred Couples. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: During a U.S. Open qualifying round in June, Maruyama shot a 13-under 58 at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, believed to be the lowest round of competitive championship golf ever shot in this country. Steve Elkington Country: Australia. Age: 37. Turned pro: 1985. Career Highlight: In the 1995 PGA Championship at Riviera Country Club, Elkington trailed Ernie Els by six strokes entering the final round. He shot a 31 on the front nine en route to a 64 to force a playoff with Colin Montgomerie, which he won with a 25-foot putt on the first extra hole. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994, 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: When his caddie, "Gypsy" Joe Grillo, suffered a severe asthma attack before the first round of the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah, Elkington withdrew from the tournament to accompany Grillo to the hospital. He's one of two captain's choices. Greg Norman Country: Australia. Age: 45. Turned pro: 1976. Career Highlight: Known more for his eight runner-up finishes in major championships, Norman won his second British Open in 1993 with a final-round 64 to overtake third-round leaders Corey Pavin and Nick Faldo at Royal St. George's. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994 (withdrew because of illness), 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: With his own clothing line, Web site and wine label, Norman is a major company unto himself, complete with a corporate helicopter. Increasingly active as a course architect, he even has a strain of turfgrass named after him. Michael Campbell Country: New Zealand. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1993. Career Highlight: Entered this year as the second-hottest golfer in the world to Tiger Woods, whom he held off to win the first event of the European Tour season, the Johnnie Walker Classic in Taiwan. He went on to win the Heineken Classic and the New Zealand Open this year as well. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Campbell came out of nowhere to lead the 1995 British Open after three rounds at St. Andrews. After a fourth-round collapse, he just as quickly returned to obscurity, hampered by a wrist injury. Robert Allenby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1991. Career Highlight: After entering this year without a PGA Tour victory, Allenby won twice, at the Houston Open and the Western Open. Both wins came in playoffs: over Craig Stadler on the fourth playoff hole in Houston and over Nick Price on the first extra hole at the Western. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: His 1996 season on the European Tour, during which he finished third on the Order of Merit, ended prematurely, when he suffered a broken sternum and facial injuries in a traffic accident in Spain. He's one of two captain's choices. Mike Weir Country: Canada. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Thanks in large part to holing a 147-yard shot for an eagle-2 in the final round, Weir won the 1999 Air Canada Championship to record his first PGA Tour victory and become the first Canadian to win on his native soil since Pat Fletcher won the 1954 Canadian Open. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Entering the 1999-2000 NHL season, Weir, an avid hockey fan and a friend of Washington forward Adam Oates, laced up his skates and practiced with the Capitals. Retief Goosen Country: South Africa. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1990. Career Highlight: Trailing Alexander Cejka by two shots entering the final round of last month's Trophee Lancome, Goosen shot a final-round 67 to win his fourth European title and third in France, following French Open titles in 1997 and 1999. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Goosen has overcome numerous health problems in his career. As amateurs, he and Ernie Els were rivals before Goosen was struck by lightning, causing various short-term health problems. More recently, he suffered a broken arm in a skiing accident. Carlos Franco Country: Paraguay. Age: 35. Turned pro: 1986. Career Highlight: In 1999, his first year on the PGA Tour, he won the Compaq Classic of New Orleans and the Greater Milwaukee Open, finished in the top 10 in seven tournaments and was named rookie of the year. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Franco once struggled so much with his putting, he used a driver to putt during a qualifying tournament. Following his tie for sixth at the 1999 Masters, a parade was held in his honor in his native Paraguay. Stuart Appleby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: In 1997, Appleby became the first qualifying school graduate to earn $1 million in his first season, finishing first in the Honda Classic and second in two other tournaments. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Appleby gained the most attention under tragic circumstances: Many remember him fighting through emotions to play in the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee about a month after the death of his wife Renay, who was hit by a car in London. © Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company Back to the top <A href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?"> <IMG src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a>
Vijay Singh Country: Fiji. Age: 37. Turned pro: 1982. Career Highlight: With a steady 3-under-par 69 in the final round, Singh kept a group of challengers at arm's length to win the Masters this spring, his second major championship to complement his 1998 PGA title. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994, 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: Known widely as the hardest worker on Tour, Singh spends hours practicing, particularly on his putting. Some reports put the number of putters he owns at close to a thousand, and he once used a different putter for each round of a tournament. He also has experimented with different grips and methods, including conventional, cross-handed and long putters. Nick PriceCountry: Zimbabwe. Age: 43. Turned pro: 1977. Career Highlight: After winning the British Open and the PGA Championship in 1994, Price was widely considered the best player in the world. At that British Open, at Turnberry, he overcame a two-stroke deficit to Jesper Parnevik over the final three holes with an eagle-birdie-par finish. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994, 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: Price is one of many players who takes a private jet between events. Not only is Price a licensed pilot, he owns his own plane, which he bought used. The previous owner? International teammate Greg Norman. Shigeki Maruyama Country: Japan. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Virtually unknown in the United States entering the 1998 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne, Maruyama went 5-0, tying the Presidents Cup record set by Mark O'Meara in 1996, to lead the International team to an upset of the United States. In one match, he made a 35-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to lead him and Craig Parry over Tiger Woods and Fred Couples. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: During a U.S. Open qualifying round in June, Maruyama shot a 13-under 58 at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, believed to be the lowest round of competitive championship golf ever shot in this country. Steve Elkington Country: Australia. Age: 37. Turned pro: 1985. Career Highlight: In the 1995 PGA Championship at Riviera Country Club, Elkington trailed Ernie Els by six strokes entering the final round. He shot a 31 on the front nine en route to a 64 to force a playoff with Colin Montgomerie, which he won with a 25-foot putt on the first extra hole. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994, 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: When his caddie, "Gypsy" Joe Grillo, suffered a severe asthma attack before the first round of the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah, Elkington withdrew from the tournament to accompany Grillo to the hospital. He's one of two captain's choices. Greg Norman Country: Australia. Age: 45. Turned pro: 1976. Career Highlight: Known more for his eight runner-up finishes in major championships, Norman won his second British Open in 1993 with a final-round 64 to overtake third-round leaders Corey Pavin and Nick Faldo at Royal St. George's. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994 (withdrew because of illness), 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: With his own clothing line, Web site and wine label, Norman is a major company unto himself, complete with a corporate helicopter. Increasingly active as a course architect, he even has a strain of turfgrass named after him. Michael Campbell Country: New Zealand. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1993. Career Highlight: Entered this year as the second-hottest golfer in the world to Tiger Woods, whom he held off to win the first event of the European Tour season, the Johnnie Walker Classic in Taiwan. He went on to win the Heineken Classic and the New Zealand Open this year as well. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Campbell came out of nowhere to lead the 1995 British Open after three rounds at St. Andrews. After a fourth-round collapse, he just as quickly returned to obscurity, hampered by a wrist injury. Robert Allenby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1991. Career Highlight: After entering this year without a PGA Tour victory, Allenby won twice, at the Houston Open and the Western Open. Both wins came in playoffs: over Craig Stadler on the fourth playoff hole in Houston and over Nick Price on the first extra hole at the Western. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: His 1996 season on the European Tour, during which he finished third on the Order of Merit, ended prematurely, when he suffered a broken sternum and facial injuries in a traffic accident in Spain. He's one of two captain's choices. Mike Weir Country: Canada. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Thanks in large part to holing a 147-yard shot for an eagle-2 in the final round, Weir won the 1999 Air Canada Championship to record his first PGA Tour victory and become the first Canadian to win on his native soil since Pat Fletcher won the 1954 Canadian Open. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Entering the 1999-2000 NHL season, Weir, an avid hockey fan and a friend of Washington forward Adam Oates, laced up his skates and practiced with the Capitals. Retief Goosen Country: South Africa. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1990. Career Highlight: Trailing Alexander Cejka by two shots entering the final round of last month's Trophee Lancome, Goosen shot a final-round 67 to win his fourth European title and third in France, following French Open titles in 1997 and 1999. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Goosen has overcome numerous health problems in his career. As amateurs, he and Ernie Els were rivals before Goosen was struck by lightning, causing various short-term health problems. More recently, he suffered a broken arm in a skiing accident. Carlos Franco Country: Paraguay. Age: 35. Turned pro: 1986. Career Highlight: In 1999, his first year on the PGA Tour, he won the Compaq Classic of New Orleans and the Greater Milwaukee Open, finished in the top 10 in seven tournaments and was named rookie of the year. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Franco once struggled so much with his putting, he used a driver to putt during a qualifying tournament. Following his tie for sixth at the 1999 Masters, a parade was held in his honor in his native Paraguay. Stuart Appleby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: In 1997, Appleby became the first qualifying school graduate to earn $1 million in his first season, finishing first in the Honda Classic and second in two other tournaments. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Appleby gained the most attention under tragic circumstances: Many remember him fighting through emotions to play in the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee about a month after the death of his wife Renay, who was hit by a car in London. © Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company Back to the top <A href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?"> <IMG src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a>
Nick PriceCountry: Zimbabwe. Age: 43. Turned pro: 1977. Career Highlight: After winning the British Open and the PGA Championship in 1994, Price was widely considered the best player in the world. At that British Open, at Turnberry, he overcame a two-stroke deficit to Jesper Parnevik over the final three holes with an eagle-birdie-par finish. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994, 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: Price is one of many players who takes a private jet between events. Not only is Price a licensed pilot, he owns his own plane, which he bought used. The previous owner? International teammate Greg Norman. Shigeki Maruyama Country: Japan. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Virtually unknown in the United States entering the 1998 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne, Maruyama went 5-0, tying the Presidents Cup record set by Mark O'Meara in 1996, to lead the International team to an upset of the United States. In one match, he made a 35-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to lead him and Craig Parry over Tiger Woods and Fred Couples. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: During a U.S. Open qualifying round in June, Maruyama shot a 13-under 58 at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, believed to be the lowest round of competitive championship golf ever shot in this country. Steve Elkington Country: Australia. Age: 37. Turned pro: 1985. Career Highlight: In the 1995 PGA Championship at Riviera Country Club, Elkington trailed Ernie Els by six strokes entering the final round. He shot a 31 on the front nine en route to a 64 to force a playoff with Colin Montgomerie, which he won with a 25-foot putt on the first extra hole. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994, 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: When his caddie, "Gypsy" Joe Grillo, suffered a severe asthma attack before the first round of the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah, Elkington withdrew from the tournament to accompany Grillo to the hospital. He's one of two captain's choices. Greg Norman Country: Australia. Age: 45. Turned pro: 1976. Career Highlight: Known more for his eight runner-up finishes in major championships, Norman won his second British Open in 1993 with a final-round 64 to overtake third-round leaders Corey Pavin and Nick Faldo at Royal St. George's. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994 (withdrew because of illness), 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: With his own clothing line, Web site and wine label, Norman is a major company unto himself, complete with a corporate helicopter. Increasingly active as a course architect, he even has a strain of turfgrass named after him. Michael Campbell Country: New Zealand. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1993. Career Highlight: Entered this year as the second-hottest golfer in the world to Tiger Woods, whom he held off to win the first event of the European Tour season, the Johnnie Walker Classic in Taiwan. He went on to win the Heineken Classic and the New Zealand Open this year as well. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Campbell came out of nowhere to lead the 1995 British Open after three rounds at St. Andrews. After a fourth-round collapse, he just as quickly returned to obscurity, hampered by a wrist injury. Robert Allenby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1991. Career Highlight: After entering this year without a PGA Tour victory, Allenby won twice, at the Houston Open and the Western Open. Both wins came in playoffs: over Craig Stadler on the fourth playoff hole in Houston and over Nick Price on the first extra hole at the Western. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: His 1996 season on the European Tour, during which he finished third on the Order of Merit, ended prematurely, when he suffered a broken sternum and facial injuries in a traffic accident in Spain. He's one of two captain's choices. Mike Weir Country: Canada. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Thanks in large part to holing a 147-yard shot for an eagle-2 in the final round, Weir won the 1999 Air Canada Championship to record his first PGA Tour victory and become the first Canadian to win on his native soil since Pat Fletcher won the 1954 Canadian Open. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Entering the 1999-2000 NHL season, Weir, an avid hockey fan and a friend of Washington forward Adam Oates, laced up his skates and practiced with the Capitals. Retief Goosen Country: South Africa. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1990. Career Highlight: Trailing Alexander Cejka by two shots entering the final round of last month's Trophee Lancome, Goosen shot a final-round 67 to win his fourth European title and third in France, following French Open titles in 1997 and 1999. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Goosen has overcome numerous health problems in his career. As amateurs, he and Ernie Els were rivals before Goosen was struck by lightning, causing various short-term health problems. More recently, he suffered a broken arm in a skiing accident. Carlos Franco Country: Paraguay. Age: 35. Turned pro: 1986. Career Highlight: In 1999, his first year on the PGA Tour, he won the Compaq Classic of New Orleans and the Greater Milwaukee Open, finished in the top 10 in seven tournaments and was named rookie of the year. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Franco once struggled so much with his putting, he used a driver to putt during a qualifying tournament. Following his tie for sixth at the 1999 Masters, a parade was held in his honor in his native Paraguay. Stuart Appleby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: In 1997, Appleby became the first qualifying school graduate to earn $1 million in his first season, finishing first in the Honda Classic and second in two other tournaments. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Appleby gained the most attention under tragic circumstances: Many remember him fighting through emotions to play in the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee about a month after the death of his wife Renay, who was hit by a car in London. © Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company Back to the top <A href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?"> <IMG src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a>
Shigeki Maruyama Country: Japan. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Virtually unknown in the United States entering the 1998 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne, Maruyama went 5-0, tying the Presidents Cup record set by Mark O'Meara in 1996, to lead the International team to an upset of the United States. In one match, he made a 35-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to lead him and Craig Parry over Tiger Woods and Fred Couples. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: During a U.S. Open qualifying round in June, Maruyama shot a 13-under 58 at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, believed to be the lowest round of competitive championship golf ever shot in this country. Steve Elkington Country: Australia. Age: 37. Turned pro: 1985. Career Highlight: In the 1995 PGA Championship at Riviera Country Club, Elkington trailed Ernie Els by six strokes entering the final round. He shot a 31 on the front nine en route to a 64 to force a playoff with Colin Montgomerie, which he won with a 25-foot putt on the first extra hole. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994, 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: When his caddie, "Gypsy" Joe Grillo, suffered a severe asthma attack before the first round of the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah, Elkington withdrew from the tournament to accompany Grillo to the hospital. He's one of two captain's choices. Greg Norman Country: Australia. Age: 45. Turned pro: 1976. Career Highlight: Known more for his eight runner-up finishes in major championships, Norman won his second British Open in 1993 with a final-round 64 to overtake third-round leaders Corey Pavin and Nick Faldo at Royal St. George's. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994 (withdrew because of illness), 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: With his own clothing line, Web site and wine label, Norman is a major company unto himself, complete with a corporate helicopter. Increasingly active as a course architect, he even has a strain of turfgrass named after him. Michael Campbell Country: New Zealand. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1993. Career Highlight: Entered this year as the second-hottest golfer in the world to Tiger Woods, whom he held off to win the first event of the European Tour season, the Johnnie Walker Classic in Taiwan. He went on to win the Heineken Classic and the New Zealand Open this year as well. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Campbell came out of nowhere to lead the 1995 British Open after three rounds at St. Andrews. After a fourth-round collapse, he just as quickly returned to obscurity, hampered by a wrist injury. Robert Allenby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1991. Career Highlight: After entering this year without a PGA Tour victory, Allenby won twice, at the Houston Open and the Western Open. Both wins came in playoffs: over Craig Stadler on the fourth playoff hole in Houston and over Nick Price on the first extra hole at the Western. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: His 1996 season on the European Tour, during which he finished third on the Order of Merit, ended prematurely, when he suffered a broken sternum and facial injuries in a traffic accident in Spain. He's one of two captain's choices. Mike Weir Country: Canada. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Thanks in large part to holing a 147-yard shot for an eagle-2 in the final round, Weir won the 1999 Air Canada Championship to record his first PGA Tour victory and become the first Canadian to win on his native soil since Pat Fletcher won the 1954 Canadian Open. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Entering the 1999-2000 NHL season, Weir, an avid hockey fan and a friend of Washington forward Adam Oates, laced up his skates and practiced with the Capitals. Retief Goosen Country: South Africa. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1990. Career Highlight: Trailing Alexander Cejka by two shots entering the final round of last month's Trophee Lancome, Goosen shot a final-round 67 to win his fourth European title and third in France, following French Open titles in 1997 and 1999. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Goosen has overcome numerous health problems in his career. As amateurs, he and Ernie Els were rivals before Goosen was struck by lightning, causing various short-term health problems. More recently, he suffered a broken arm in a skiing accident. Carlos Franco Country: Paraguay. Age: 35. Turned pro: 1986. Career Highlight: In 1999, his first year on the PGA Tour, he won the Compaq Classic of New Orleans and the Greater Milwaukee Open, finished in the top 10 in seven tournaments and was named rookie of the year. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Franco once struggled so much with his putting, he used a driver to putt during a qualifying tournament. Following his tie for sixth at the 1999 Masters, a parade was held in his honor in his native Paraguay. Stuart Appleby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: In 1997, Appleby became the first qualifying school graduate to earn $1 million in his first season, finishing first in the Honda Classic and second in two other tournaments. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Appleby gained the most attention under tragic circumstances: Many remember him fighting through emotions to play in the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee about a month after the death of his wife Renay, who was hit by a car in London. © Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company Back to the top <A href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?"> <IMG src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a>
Steve Elkington Country: Australia. Age: 37. Turned pro: 1985. Career Highlight: In the 1995 PGA Championship at Riviera Country Club, Elkington trailed Ernie Els by six strokes entering the final round. He shot a 31 on the front nine en route to a 64 to force a playoff with Colin Montgomerie, which he won with a 25-foot putt on the first extra hole. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994, 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: When his caddie, "Gypsy" Joe Grillo, suffered a severe asthma attack before the first round of the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah, Elkington withdrew from the tournament to accompany Grillo to the hospital. He's one of two captain's choices. Greg Norman Country: Australia. Age: 45. Turned pro: 1976. Career Highlight: Known more for his eight runner-up finishes in major championships, Norman won his second British Open in 1993 with a final-round 64 to overtake third-round leaders Corey Pavin and Nick Faldo at Royal St. George's. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994 (withdrew because of illness), 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: With his own clothing line, Web site and wine label, Norman is a major company unto himself, complete with a corporate helicopter. Increasingly active as a course architect, he even has a strain of turfgrass named after him. Michael Campbell Country: New Zealand. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1993. Career Highlight: Entered this year as the second-hottest golfer in the world to Tiger Woods, whom he held off to win the first event of the European Tour season, the Johnnie Walker Classic in Taiwan. He went on to win the Heineken Classic and the New Zealand Open this year as well. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Campbell came out of nowhere to lead the 1995 British Open after three rounds at St. Andrews. After a fourth-round collapse, he just as quickly returned to obscurity, hampered by a wrist injury. Robert Allenby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1991. Career Highlight: After entering this year without a PGA Tour victory, Allenby won twice, at the Houston Open and the Western Open. Both wins came in playoffs: over Craig Stadler on the fourth playoff hole in Houston and over Nick Price on the first extra hole at the Western. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: His 1996 season on the European Tour, during which he finished third on the Order of Merit, ended prematurely, when he suffered a broken sternum and facial injuries in a traffic accident in Spain. He's one of two captain's choices. Mike Weir Country: Canada. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Thanks in large part to holing a 147-yard shot for an eagle-2 in the final round, Weir won the 1999 Air Canada Championship to record his first PGA Tour victory and become the first Canadian to win on his native soil since Pat Fletcher won the 1954 Canadian Open. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Entering the 1999-2000 NHL season, Weir, an avid hockey fan and a friend of Washington forward Adam Oates, laced up his skates and practiced with the Capitals. Retief Goosen Country: South Africa. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1990. Career Highlight: Trailing Alexander Cejka by two shots entering the final round of last month's Trophee Lancome, Goosen shot a final-round 67 to win his fourth European title and third in France, following French Open titles in 1997 and 1999. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Goosen has overcome numerous health problems in his career. As amateurs, he and Ernie Els were rivals before Goosen was struck by lightning, causing various short-term health problems. More recently, he suffered a broken arm in a skiing accident. Carlos Franco Country: Paraguay. Age: 35. Turned pro: 1986. Career Highlight: In 1999, his first year on the PGA Tour, he won the Compaq Classic of New Orleans and the Greater Milwaukee Open, finished in the top 10 in seven tournaments and was named rookie of the year. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Franco once struggled so much with his putting, he used a driver to putt during a qualifying tournament. Following his tie for sixth at the 1999 Masters, a parade was held in his honor in his native Paraguay. Stuart Appleby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: In 1997, Appleby became the first qualifying school graduate to earn $1 million in his first season, finishing first in the Honda Classic and second in two other tournaments. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Appleby gained the most attention under tragic circumstances: Many remember him fighting through emotions to play in the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee about a month after the death of his wife Renay, who was hit by a car in London. © Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company Back to the top <A href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?"> <IMG src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a>
Greg Norman Country: Australia. Age: 45. Turned pro: 1976. Career Highlight: Known more for his eight runner-up finishes in major championships, Norman won his second British Open in 1993 with a final-round 64 to overtake third-round leaders Corey Pavin and Nick Faldo at Royal St. George's. Presidents Cup Experience: 1994 (withdrew because of illness), 1996, 1998. Chip Shot: With his own clothing line, Web site and wine label, Norman is a major company unto himself, complete with a corporate helicopter. Increasingly active as a course architect, he even has a strain of turfgrass named after him. Michael Campbell Country: New Zealand. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1993. Career Highlight: Entered this year as the second-hottest golfer in the world to Tiger Woods, whom he held off to win the first event of the European Tour season, the Johnnie Walker Classic in Taiwan. He went on to win the Heineken Classic and the New Zealand Open this year as well. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Campbell came out of nowhere to lead the 1995 British Open after three rounds at St. Andrews. After a fourth-round collapse, he just as quickly returned to obscurity, hampered by a wrist injury. Robert Allenby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1991. Career Highlight: After entering this year without a PGA Tour victory, Allenby won twice, at the Houston Open and the Western Open. Both wins came in playoffs: over Craig Stadler on the fourth playoff hole in Houston and over Nick Price on the first extra hole at the Western. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: His 1996 season on the European Tour, during which he finished third on the Order of Merit, ended prematurely, when he suffered a broken sternum and facial injuries in a traffic accident in Spain. He's one of two captain's choices. Mike Weir Country: Canada. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Thanks in large part to holing a 147-yard shot for an eagle-2 in the final round, Weir won the 1999 Air Canada Championship to record his first PGA Tour victory and become the first Canadian to win on his native soil since Pat Fletcher won the 1954 Canadian Open. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Entering the 1999-2000 NHL season, Weir, an avid hockey fan and a friend of Washington forward Adam Oates, laced up his skates and practiced with the Capitals. Retief Goosen Country: South Africa. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1990. Career Highlight: Trailing Alexander Cejka by two shots entering the final round of last month's Trophee Lancome, Goosen shot a final-round 67 to win his fourth European title and third in France, following French Open titles in 1997 and 1999. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Goosen has overcome numerous health problems in his career. As amateurs, he and Ernie Els were rivals before Goosen was struck by lightning, causing various short-term health problems. More recently, he suffered a broken arm in a skiing accident. Carlos Franco Country: Paraguay. Age: 35. Turned pro: 1986. Career Highlight: In 1999, his first year on the PGA Tour, he won the Compaq Classic of New Orleans and the Greater Milwaukee Open, finished in the top 10 in seven tournaments and was named rookie of the year. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Franco once struggled so much with his putting, he used a driver to putt during a qualifying tournament. Following his tie for sixth at the 1999 Masters, a parade was held in his honor in his native Paraguay. Stuart Appleby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: In 1997, Appleby became the first qualifying school graduate to earn $1 million in his first season, finishing first in the Honda Classic and second in two other tournaments. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Appleby gained the most attention under tragic circumstances: Many remember him fighting through emotions to play in the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee about a month after the death of his wife Renay, who was hit by a car in London. © Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company Back to the top <A href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?"> <IMG src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a>
Michael Campbell Country: New Zealand. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1993. Career Highlight: Entered this year as the second-hottest golfer in the world to Tiger Woods, whom he held off to win the first event of the European Tour season, the Johnnie Walker Classic in Taiwan. He went on to win the Heineken Classic and the New Zealand Open this year as well. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Campbell came out of nowhere to lead the 1995 British Open after three rounds at St. Andrews. After a fourth-round collapse, he just as quickly returned to obscurity, hampered by a wrist injury. Robert Allenby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1991. Career Highlight: After entering this year without a PGA Tour victory, Allenby won twice, at the Houston Open and the Western Open. Both wins came in playoffs: over Craig Stadler on the fourth playoff hole in Houston and over Nick Price on the first extra hole at the Western. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: His 1996 season on the European Tour, during which he finished third on the Order of Merit, ended prematurely, when he suffered a broken sternum and facial injuries in a traffic accident in Spain. He's one of two captain's choices. Mike Weir Country: Canada. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Thanks in large part to holing a 147-yard shot for an eagle-2 in the final round, Weir won the 1999 Air Canada Championship to record his first PGA Tour victory and become the first Canadian to win on his native soil since Pat Fletcher won the 1954 Canadian Open. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Entering the 1999-2000 NHL season, Weir, an avid hockey fan and a friend of Washington forward Adam Oates, laced up his skates and practiced with the Capitals. Retief Goosen Country: South Africa. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1990. Career Highlight: Trailing Alexander Cejka by two shots entering the final round of last month's Trophee Lancome, Goosen shot a final-round 67 to win his fourth European title and third in France, following French Open titles in 1997 and 1999. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Goosen has overcome numerous health problems in his career. As amateurs, he and Ernie Els were rivals before Goosen was struck by lightning, causing various short-term health problems. More recently, he suffered a broken arm in a skiing accident. Carlos Franco Country: Paraguay. Age: 35. Turned pro: 1986. Career Highlight: In 1999, his first year on the PGA Tour, he won the Compaq Classic of New Orleans and the Greater Milwaukee Open, finished in the top 10 in seven tournaments and was named rookie of the year. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Franco once struggled so much with his putting, he used a driver to putt during a qualifying tournament. Following his tie for sixth at the 1999 Masters, a parade was held in his honor in his native Paraguay. Stuart Appleby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: In 1997, Appleby became the first qualifying school graduate to earn $1 million in his first season, finishing first in the Honda Classic and second in two other tournaments. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Appleby gained the most attention under tragic circumstances: Many remember him fighting through emotions to play in the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee about a month after the death of his wife Renay, who was hit by a car in London. © Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company Back to the top <A href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?"> <IMG src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a>
Robert Allenby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1991. Career Highlight: After entering this year without a PGA Tour victory, Allenby won twice, at the Houston Open and the Western Open. Both wins came in playoffs: over Craig Stadler on the fourth playoff hole in Houston and over Nick Price on the first extra hole at the Western. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: His 1996 season on the European Tour, during which he finished third on the Order of Merit, ended prematurely, when he suffered a broken sternum and facial injuries in a traffic accident in Spain. He's one of two captain's choices. Mike Weir Country: Canada. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Thanks in large part to holing a 147-yard shot for an eagle-2 in the final round, Weir won the 1999 Air Canada Championship to record his first PGA Tour victory and become the first Canadian to win on his native soil since Pat Fletcher won the 1954 Canadian Open. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Entering the 1999-2000 NHL season, Weir, an avid hockey fan and a friend of Washington forward Adam Oates, laced up his skates and practiced with the Capitals. Retief Goosen Country: South Africa. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1990. Career Highlight: Trailing Alexander Cejka by two shots entering the final round of last month's Trophee Lancome, Goosen shot a final-round 67 to win his fourth European title and third in France, following French Open titles in 1997 and 1999. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Goosen has overcome numerous health problems in his career. As amateurs, he and Ernie Els were rivals before Goosen was struck by lightning, causing various short-term health problems. More recently, he suffered a broken arm in a skiing accident. Carlos Franco Country: Paraguay. Age: 35. Turned pro: 1986. Career Highlight: In 1999, his first year on the PGA Tour, he won the Compaq Classic of New Orleans and the Greater Milwaukee Open, finished in the top 10 in seven tournaments and was named rookie of the year. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Franco once struggled so much with his putting, he used a driver to putt during a qualifying tournament. Following his tie for sixth at the 1999 Masters, a parade was held in his honor in his native Paraguay. Stuart Appleby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: In 1997, Appleby became the first qualifying school graduate to earn $1 million in his first season, finishing first in the Honda Classic and second in two other tournaments. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Appleby gained the most attention under tragic circumstances: Many remember him fighting through emotions to play in the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee about a month after the death of his wife Renay, who was hit by a car in London. © Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company Back to the top <A href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?"> <IMG src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a>
Mike Weir Country: Canada. Age: 30. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: Thanks in large part to holing a 147-yard shot for an eagle-2 in the final round, Weir won the 1999 Air Canada Championship to record his first PGA Tour victory and become the first Canadian to win on his native soil since Pat Fletcher won the 1954 Canadian Open. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Entering the 1999-2000 NHL season, Weir, an avid hockey fan and a friend of Washington forward Adam Oates, laced up his skates and practiced with the Capitals. Retief Goosen Country: South Africa. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1990. Career Highlight: Trailing Alexander Cejka by two shots entering the final round of last month's Trophee Lancome, Goosen shot a final-round 67 to win his fourth European title and third in France, following French Open titles in 1997 and 1999. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Goosen has overcome numerous health problems in his career. As amateurs, he and Ernie Els were rivals before Goosen was struck by lightning, causing various short-term health problems. More recently, he suffered a broken arm in a skiing accident. Carlos Franco Country: Paraguay. Age: 35. Turned pro: 1986. Career Highlight: In 1999, his first year on the PGA Tour, he won the Compaq Classic of New Orleans and the Greater Milwaukee Open, finished in the top 10 in seven tournaments and was named rookie of the year. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Franco once struggled so much with his putting, he used a driver to putt during a qualifying tournament. Following his tie for sixth at the 1999 Masters, a parade was held in his honor in his native Paraguay. Stuart Appleby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: In 1997, Appleby became the first qualifying school graduate to earn $1 million in his first season, finishing first in the Honda Classic and second in two other tournaments. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Appleby gained the most attention under tragic circumstances: Many remember him fighting through emotions to play in the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee about a month after the death of his wife Renay, who was hit by a car in London. © Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company Back to the top <A href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?"> <IMG src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a>
Retief Goosen Country: South Africa. Age: 31. Turned pro: 1990. Career Highlight: Trailing Alexander Cejka by two shots entering the final round of last month's Trophee Lancome, Goosen shot a final-round 67 to win his fourth European title and third in France, following French Open titles in 1997 and 1999. Presidents Cup Experience: None. Chip Shot: Goosen has overcome numerous health problems in his career. As amateurs, he and Ernie Els were rivals before Goosen was struck by lightning, causing various short-term health problems. More recently, he suffered a broken arm in a skiing accident. Carlos Franco Country: Paraguay. Age: 35. Turned pro: 1986. Career Highlight: In 1999, his first year on the PGA Tour, he won the Compaq Classic of New Orleans and the Greater Milwaukee Open, finished in the top 10 in seven tournaments and was named rookie of the year. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Franco once struggled so much with his putting, he used a driver to putt during a qualifying tournament. Following his tie for sixth at the 1999 Masters, a parade was held in his honor in his native Paraguay. Stuart Appleby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: In 1997, Appleby became the first qualifying school graduate to earn $1 million in his first season, finishing first in the Honda Classic and second in two other tournaments. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Appleby gained the most attention under tragic circumstances: Many remember him fighting through emotions to play in the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee about a month after the death of his wife Renay, who was hit by a car in London. © Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company Back to the top <A href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?"> <IMG src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a>
Carlos Franco Country: Paraguay. Age: 35. Turned pro: 1986. Career Highlight: In 1999, his first year on the PGA Tour, he won the Compaq Classic of New Orleans and the Greater Milwaukee Open, finished in the top 10 in seven tournaments and was named rookie of the year. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Franco once struggled so much with his putting, he used a driver to putt during a qualifying tournament. Following his tie for sixth at the 1999 Masters, a parade was held in his honor in his native Paraguay. Stuart Appleby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: In 1997, Appleby became the first qualifying school graduate to earn $1 million in his first season, finishing first in the Honda Classic and second in two other tournaments. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Appleby gained the most attention under tragic circumstances: Many remember him fighting through emotions to play in the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee about a month after the death of his wife Renay, who was hit by a car in London. © Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company Back to the top <A href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?"> <IMG src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a>
Stuart Appleby Country: Australia. Age: 29. Turned pro: 1992. Career Highlight: In 1997, Appleby became the first qualifying school graduate to earn $1 million in his first season, finishing first in the Honda Classic and second in two other tournaments. Presidents Cup Experience: 1998. Chip Shot: Appleby gained the most attention under tragic circumstances: Many remember him fighting through emotions to play in the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee about a month after the death of his wife Renay, who was hit by a car in London. © Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company Back to the top <A href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?"> <IMG src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.news/sports/leagues;kw=;pos=bottom;sz=468x60;tile=2;ord=?" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a>
© Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company
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Golf
