Championship Capsules

Capsules of 20 top players in the 82nd PGA Championship, to be played Aug. Thursday through

Sunday at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, KY. Listed in predicted order of finish:

PHIL MICKELSON

Age: 30.

Worldwide wins: 17.

World Ranking: 5.

Majors: None.

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T7, US Open-T16, British Open-T11.

PGA Championships: 7.

Best finish: 3.

Backspin: The pressure of winning has been shifted to Tiger Woods, who faces expectations of winning every one. Winless in majors despite consistent play, Mickelson has one last chance to show he can contend. A three-time winner this year, so level of play is not a problem. He led at Valhalla after 36 holes in ‘96, and might finish the job this time.

*

ERNIE ELS

Age: 30.

Worldwide wins: 31.

World Ranking: 2.

Majors: U.S. Open (‘94, ‘97).

2000 Majors Record: Masters-2, US Open-T2, British Open-T2.

PGA Championships: 8.

Best finish: T3.

Backspin: In his last four tournaments, has gone 2-1-2-1. Of course, those second places were in majors. Going for the unprecedented “Grand Slammed” of being a runner-up in all four majors. At least he’s there, which is more than what others can say. Consistent play, but needs to find a way to put together four solid rounds instead of 3 1/2.

*

TIGER WOODS

Age: 24.

Worldwide wins: 25.

World Ranking: 1.

Majors: Masters (‘97), U.S. Open (‘00), British Open (‘00), PGA (‘99).

2000 Majors Record: Masters-5, US Open-1, British Open-1.

PGA Championships: 3.

Best finish: Won.

Backspin: The logical choice because he has an advantage on every course. Plays at a premium when history is to be made--becoming the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in one year isn’t the kind of history that drives him. Now, if he were to have won the first three majors . . .

*

HAL SUTTON

Age: 42.

Worldwide wins: 13.

World Ranking: 8.

Majors: PGA (‘83).

2000 Majors Record: Masters-10, US Open-T23, British Open-MC.

PGA Championships: 18.

Best finish: Won.

Backspin: Resurrection won’t be entirely complete until he wins another major. Had his sights set on the U.S. Open, but Valhalla might be his best chance. Fabulous driver, good iron play and not intimidated. Could set a PGA record for going 17 years between his first and second Wanamaker.

*

DAVID DUVAL

Age: 28.

Worldwide wins: 11.

World Ranking: 3.

Majors: None.

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T3, US Open T8, British Open-T11.

PGA Championships: 5.

Best finish: T10.

Backspin: Might have been a strong favorite, but his back sprain makes him a wild card. Desire was rekindled by strong British Open play, and game made him excited about the second half of the year, all of which makes back problems even more untimely. Still good enough to win even when he’s not 100%.

*

VIJAY SINGH

Age: 37.

Worldwide wins: 27.

World Ranking: 9.

Majors: Masters (‘00), PGA (‘98).

2000 Majors Record: Masters-1, US Open-T8, British Open-T11

PGA Championships: 8.

Best finish: Won.

Backspin: A victory might cause the PGA of America to just send Singh and Woods and Hawaii for the Grand Slam of Golf. Hasn’t basked in his Masters glory, just keeps grinding away. Played well at Valhalla in ’96. His success depends on his putter.

*

DAVIS LOVE III

Age: 36.

Worldwide wins: 14.

World Ranking: 6.

Majors: PGA (‘97).

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T7, US Open-MC, British Open-T11.

PGA Championships: 13.

Best finish: Won.

Backspin: Some have stopped counting the tournaments he’s played since last winning. His game is better than that, and it’s only a matter of time before he cashes in. Putting remains suspect, especially on Sunday, but a good enough player to have a chance.

*

COLIN MONTGOMERIE

Age: 37.

Worldwide wins: 29.

World Ranking: 4.

Majors: None.

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T19, US Open-T46, British Open-T26.

PGA Championships: 8.

Best finish: 2.

Backspin: Playing the majors as though he has convinced himself that winning one will not make or break his career. Valhalla could suit him because of accuracy required to stay out of bluegrass and position on the green. Temperatures could make him melt. A European hasn’t won PGA since Tommy Armour of Scotland in 1970.

*

JIM FURYK

Age: 30.

Worldwide wins: 6.

World Ranking: 14.

Majors: None.

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T14, US Open-60, British Open-T41.

PGA Championships: 5.

Best finish: T6.

Backspin: An annual contender in the majors, has taken a step back this year. Comeback at Doral showed why he’s usually a factor--straight driver, streaky putter. Now it’s a matter of matching those two traits over four days.

*

NICK PRICE

Age: 43.

Worldwide wins: 40.

World Ranking: 11.

Majors: British Open (‘94), PGA (‘91, 94).

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T11, US Open-T27, British Open-MC.

PGA Championships: 16.

Best finish: Won.

Backspin: His prime has passed him, but still capable of winning like he did in the mid-90s. Putting seems to be slowly coming back, but inaccuracy off the tee can be a nemesis, as he showed in the Western Open.

*

SERGIO GARCIA

Age: 20.

Worldwide wins: 2.

World Ranking: 13.

Majors: None.

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T40, US Open-T46, British Open-T36.

PGA Championships: 1.

Best finish: 2.

Backspin: El Nino has been in quite a tailspin since his magic at Medinah. Hasn’t won all year, and hasn’t really been close. All he can say about the majors this year is he has made the cut in all of them. Maybe he can rekindle the fire at the major where it all began.

*

FRED COUPLES

Age: 40.

Worldwide wins: 19.

World Ranking: 30.

Majors: Masters (‘92).

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T11, US Open-T16, British Open-6.

PGA Championships: 18.

Best finish: 2.

Backspin: Playing more, playing better. Quietly having a very good year in the majors, and his sweet swing can make him a factor at any time. Needs a strong showing to have any chance to make the Presidents Cup team.

*

L EE WESTWOOD

Age: 27.

Worldwide wins: 20.

World Ranking: 7.

Majors: None.

2000 Majors Record: Masters-MC, US Open-T5, British Open-T64.

PGA Championships: 3.

Best finish: T16.

Backspin: A disappointment in the majors. Tied for fifth at Pebble Beach, but that’s like a tie for 60th the way Woods lapped the field. Didn’t really get his game together until May, so maybe he’ll peak at the right time.

*

PAUL AZINGER

Age: 40.

Worldwide wins: 14.

World Ranking: 32.

Majors: PGA (‘93).

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T28, US Open-T12, British Open-T7

PGA Championships: 14.

Best finish: Won.

Backspin: His game is closer than most realize, but needs another strong showing to prove that victory in Honolulu was no fluke. Putting style makes it look as though he’s trying to fall on his sword, but get him close on the weekend and he’ll come out fighting.

*

GREG NORMAN

Age: 45.

Worldwide wins: 75.

World Ranking: 39.

Majors: British Open (‘86, ‘93).

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T11 , US Open-MC, British Open-DNP.

PGA Championships: 18.

Best finish: 2.

Backspin: Feeling hip, finally. Returned from hip surgery two weeks early, and proclaims himself injury-free for the first time in years. Might not be ready to make one last run at a major until next year, but one never knows with Norman.

*

DARREN CLARKE

Age: 32.

Worldwide wins: 8.

World Ranking: 15.

Majors: None.

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T40, US Open-T53, British Open-T7

PGA Championships: 2.

Best finish: MC.

Backspin: Career figured to get a lift from beating Woods in the Match Play Championship, but that hasn’t been the case so far. Capable of getting it together in a moment’s notice. Especially with Butch Harmon on the other end of the range, instead of the other side of the Atlantic.

*

TOM LEHMAN

Age: 41.

Worldwide wins: 7.

World Ranking: 12.

Majors: British Open (‘96).

2000 Majors Record: Masters-6, US Open-T23, British Open-T4.

PGA Championships: 7.

Best finish: T10.

Backspin: Ended a three-year winless drought in Phoenix and has given himself a couple of chances since then. An outstanding driver who has had trouble sustaining four good rounds of putting.

*

JESPER PARNEVIK

Age: 35.

Worldwide wins: 12.

World Ranking: 10.

Majors: None.

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T40, US Open-MC, British Open-T36.

PGA Championships: 6.

Best finish: T5.

Backspin: Like Duval, a question mark because of a hip injury from the U.S. Open. Pink pants--and that’s a conservative wardrobe--overshadow his great iron play. If healthy, he might be the European to end the 70-year jinx.

*

JUSTIN LEONARD

Age: 28.

Worldwide wins: 4.

World Ranking: 22.

Majors: British Open (‘97).

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T28, US Open-T16, British Open-T41.

PGA Championships: 5.

Best finish: 2.

Backspin: A very quiet year, even his runner-up finish in the Memorial. Hasn’t won since The Players Championship in 1998, but tends to raise his game in the big tournaments, and when no one is paying much attention to him.

*

NOTAH BEGAY

Age: 27.

Worldwide wins: 4.

World Ranking: 21.

Majors: None.

2000 Majors Record: Masters-T37, US Open-22, British Open-T20.

PGA Championships: None.

Best finish: N/A.

Backspin: Has won four times in the last year. The next logical step is the majors, but the first step is getting into contention. Inched closer at the British Open, but his record is one of inconsistency. His only top 10s occur when he wins.