ESPN.com - Golf Online - PGA Championship 2000

By Greg Robertson
ESPN Golf Online
Wednesday, August 16

1. Phil Mickelson

Best PGA finish: 3 (1994)

Last five PGAs: 1999: T57; 1998: T34; 1997: T29; 1996: T8; 1995: Cut

With three wins this season and 16 for his career, it's hard to imagine he still doesn't have a major. One of the few to step up and beat Tiger Woods this year at San Diego, he held the 36-hole lead in 1996 at Valhalla. With four more years of experience, he won't lose it this time.

2. Ernie Els

Best PGA finish: T3 (1995)

Last five PGAs: 1999: Cut; 1998: T21; 1997: T53; 1996: T61; 1995: T3

Els has finished second in the first three majors, so he might as well complete the slam. He's playing extremely well of late, winning Loch Lomond and the International in two of his last three starts.

3. Tiger Woods

Best PGA finish: 1 (1999)

Last five PGAs: 1999: 1; 1998: T10; 1997: T29; 1996: DNP; 1995: DNP

He's the defending champion. He ran away at Pebble Beach. He ran away at St. Andrews. If he doesn't win, it's a huge upset. But Woods has never played at Valhalla and it's not a course where his length will be a huge advantage.

4. Fred Couples

Best PGA finish: 2 (1990)

Last five PGAs: 1999: T26; 1998: T13; 1997: T29; 1996: T41; 1995: T31

There must be another major left in his bag before his career winds down. He played extremely well at St. Andrews and has his eye on a Presidents Cup spot with a strong erformance.

5. Jesper Parnevik

Best PGA finish: T5 (1996)

Last five PGAs: 1999: T10; 1998: Cut; 1997: T45; 1996: T5; 1995: T20

Aches and pains have slowed down his tremendous start to 2000. He tied for fifth at Valhalla in 1996, but he's a much better player now, proven by his nine top-10 finishes this year.

6. Davis Love III

Best PGA finish: 1 (1997)

Last five PGAs: 1999: T49; 1998: T7; 1997: 1; 1996: Cut; 1995: Cut

Always in the running in big events, Love hasn't won in more than two years. It would be fitting if the breakthrough came in the major he captured three years ago at Winged Foot.

7. Greg Norman

Best PGA finish: 2 (1986, 1993)

Last five PGAs: 1999: Cut; 1998: DNP; 1997: T13; 1996: T17; 1995: T20

Norman gave his repaired hip its first tryout at The International, and he responded with a fourth-place finish. The fire seems to be back in Norman, one player who certainly wouldn't back down from a duel with Woods.

8. Vijay Singh

Best PGA finish: 1 (1998)

Last five PGAs: 1999: T49; 1998: 1; 1997: T13; 1996: T5; 1995: Cut

His win at The Masters cemented his status as one of the best in the game, but his putting has not been good since. Still, he's won two of the last eight majors and tied for fifth at Valhalla in 1996.

9. Tom Lehman

Best PGA finish: T10 (1997)

Last five PGAs: 1999: T34; 1998: T29; 1997: T10; 1996: T14; 1995: Cut

He won at Phoenix to start the year and played well for a couple of months. He tied for fourth at the British Open, but he pulled out of The International while on the leaderboard with an injury. Health will be the question.

10. Loren Roberts

Best PGA finish: T5 (1990)

Last five PGAs: 1999: Cut; 1998: T65; 1997: T43; 1996: Cut; 1995: T58

Only three players have top-10 finishes in all three majors this year: Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Roberts. The secret is his consistent play and unbelievable putting stroke. His runaway at Milwaukee shows he can win.

11. Lee Westwood: Europe's hottest player and Order of Merit leader hasn't done anything in the U.S. this year.

12. David Duval: A back injury is the big question about Duval, who has played well in all the majors this year. Withdrew on Tuesday because of his back.

13. Colin Montgomerie: Another trip to America with high expectations, but they always seem to crash.

14. Franklin Langham: There's always a surprise on the leaderboard, and why not Langham? He has three second-place finishes this year.

15. Jim Furyk: His consistent game usually produces good results in majors, but never any wins.

16. Hal Sutton: He won this event in 1983 in another lifetime. He needs a second major to cap his comeback.

17. Stewart Cink: Seven top-10 finishes this year have vaulted him to another level, so now it's time to contend in a major. Tied for third last year.

18. Notah Begay III: When he's had a chance to win, he's grabbed it with four wins in the past 10 months.

19. Paul Azinger: Won this event in 1993, played well at St. Andrews and believes he can win again.

20. Justin Leonard: The year has been a bust, but Leonard did tie for fifth at Valhalla in 1996.