David Duval
Age: 27.
Born: Jacksonville, Florida.
Tour wins: 11.
World ranking: 2.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 0.
Member of 1991 Walker Cup team with Phil Mickelson at Portmarnock and semi-finalist in British Amateur the following week. Seven times a runner-up on US Tour prior to first victory in 1997, but that opened floodgates. Leading money-winner last year and has vied with Tiger Woods for world number one spot this season. Shot 59 in January.
Jim Furyk
Age: 29.
Born: Pennsylvannia.
Tour wins: 3.
World ranking: 13.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 1 (1997).
Record: P3, W1, L2.
Only three wins in six years on US Tour, but has already earned more than $6 million. Unorthodox swing, but considered one of best putters in golf. Beat Nick Faldo for his only win at Valderrama two years ago. Made President's Cup debut last December, but lost first three matches before defeating Frank Nobilo in singles.
Tom Lehman
Age: 40.
Born: Austin, Minnesota.
Tour wins: 5.
World ranking: 23.
Majors: 1 (1996 British Open).
Caps: 2 (1995-97).
Record: P7, W3, H2, L2.
Obvious wild card choice for Ben Crenshaw. 1996 British Open champion would have been automatic selection but for throwing away four-stroke lead at Buick Open last month. Injured shoulder playing with children on a funfair ride during last year's British Open and needed surgery during winter. On Ryder Cup debut beat Seve Ballesteros. Briefly world number one.
Justin Leonard
Age: 27.
Born: Dallas, Texas.
Tour wins: 4.
World ranking: 12.
Majors: 1 (1997 British Open).
Caps: 1 (1997).
Record: P4, H2, L2.
British Open champion at Troon in 1997, but two months later did not win a match on Ryder Cup debut. Was four up after four on Thomas Bjorn in singles, but only halved. Had chance for second British Open title at Carnoustie, but lost play-off to Paul Lawrie. American amateur champion in 1992 and played Walker Cup the following year.
Davis Love
Age: 35.
Born: North Carolina.
Tour wins: 15.
World ranking: 4.
Majors: 1 (1997 USPGA).
Caps: 3 (1993-95-97).
Record: P13, W5, L8.
Had match-winning victory over Costantino Rocca on Ryder Cup debut at The Belfry, beat Rocca again in 1995, but lost all four games two years ago following his first major at USPGA. Father played tour, but died in 1988 air crash. Second to Jose Maria Olazabal at US Masters in April.
Jeff Maggert
Age: 35.
Born: Columbia, Missouri.
Tour wins: 2.
World ranking: 17.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 2 (1995-97).
Record: P7, W4, L3.
Won $1 million in February at first world championship match play tournament in California, beating Tiger Woods in quarter-finals. Clung on to 10th place in qualifying table despite poor finish to two-year race. Beat Lee Westwood in singles at Valderrama. Ten top 10 finishes in majors.
Phil Mickelson
Age: 29.
Born: California.
Tour wins: 13.
World ranking: 11.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 2 (1995-97).
Record: P7, W4, H2, L1.
Unbeaten on debut four years ago and beat Darren Clarke in singles at Valderrama. Left-hander who won on US Tour as a 20-year-old amateur in 1991. Twelve more victories since, but still no major. Was runner-up to Payne Stewart in US Open in June the day before his wife gave birth and second to Tiger Woods in recent World Championship.
Mark O'Meara
Age: 42.
Born: North Carolina.
Tour wins: 23.
World ranking: 10.
Majors: 2 ('98 Masters, Open).
Caps: 4 (1985-89-91-97).
Record: P12, W4, H1, L7.
Waited 18 years for first major win at US Masters last year, then only three months more for his second at the British Open at Birkdale. Oldest player to win two majors in one season. Also beat Tiger Woods in final of Cisco World Match Play at Wentworth last October and was named America's Player of the Year.
Steve Pate
Age: 38.
Born: California.
Tour wins: 6.
World ranking: 30.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 1 (1991).
Record: P2, H1, L1.
Wild card choice. Ryder Cup debut remembered for car crash on way to gala dinner two days before match. Injured back and could play only four-ball match. Used to be nicknamed "Volcano" because of his temper, but has calmed down since fracturing wrist in another car accident in 1996 and cracking bone in other wrist later the same year.
Payne Stewart
Age: 42.
Born: Springfield, Missouri.
Tour wins: 15.
World ranking: 8.
Majors: 3 (89 PGA, 91-99 US Open).
Caps: 4 (1987-89-91-93).
Record: P16, W8, H1, L7.
Player known for his plus-four trousers returns to the match after six years, having captured second US Open with dramatic closing 18-foot putt in June. Won first major at 1989 USPGA, then 1991 US Open. Career nosedived three years later, but battled back and was runner-up in US Open last year.
Hal Sutton
Age: 41.
Born: Shreveport, Louisiana.
Tour wins: 10.
World ranking: 14.
Majors: 1 (1983 USPGA).
Caps: 2 (1985-87).
Record: P9, W3, H3, L3.
Was nicknamed "Bear Apparent" to Jack Nicklaus when he captured 1983 USPGA and topped US Tour, but then went eight years without a win and slumped to 185th on the money list during barren spell. Won twice last season, though, and this year has had 11 top 10 finishes.
Tiger Woods
Age: 23.
Born: Cypress, California.
Tour wins: 15.
World ranking: 1.
Majors: 2 (97 Masters, 99 PGA).
Caps: 1 (1997).
Record: P5, W1, H1, L3.
Three-time US amateur champion won first major as a professional - 1997 US Masters - by record 12 shots with record 18 under par score. Became world number one in record time and remains easily the game's biggest attraction. Fifth victory of the year and second major title came in USPGA, then added World Championship crown. Has been on losing sides in Walker, Ryder, Dunhill and Presidents Cups.
