Like golf itself, it is almost impossible to predict who will do well and when with any consistency. You may even see Phil Mickelson shock everyone and win a major. Like hot snot out of a chrome nostril, here are just some of the players to look for�

Super Tiger Woods � For all the flack Phil Mickelson took for suggesting that Tiger was winning with �inferior equipment�, it seems that at least to some extent Phil was right. Woods dropped down the driving charts so far, that he ditched his Nike driver for a three year-old head cover, but not to much improvement. Late in the year Tiger switched back to what�s supposed to be a refined/improved Nike driver. Of bigger concern may be Tiger�s balky knee, which he had scoped out a year ago. Although the surgery was a success, it was also found that his ACL was frayed � which may force an adjustment in his swing down the road.

The fact that Tiger has now gone six majors without a win further increases the whispers that he may at least be on a small decline. But remember Tiger finished second on the money list, won five tournaments (including the WGC Invitational) and was again named Player of the Year. Anyone else would kill for a career year (as opposed to an off-year) like that. Critics who continue to nit-pick at any aspect of his game even feel that his upcoming marriage could prove to be a detriment, fearing scenes of Tiger changing diapers at 3AM when he has the lead at the Masters. #1, he�s marrying a nanny, and #2 does any golfer with the overnight lead heading into the final round sleep anyways??? Don�t worry much about Woods.

Vijay Singh � The hardest working player on tour was at least 1A last year, although he didn�t win many popularity points with his ill-advised comments over Annika Sorenstam�s participation in the Colonial. Singh is even still haunted in some circles over his mid-1980�s banishment from the Asian tour for cheating on his scorecard. Is an absolute magician with the irons and out of the long grass, but historically the flat-stick is the weak link of his game, but even seemed to improve that with the help of a new belly putter last year.

Ernie Els � Opened 2003 by absolutely torching Hawaii, finishing �31 at the Mercedes (Arena Golf) before beating Aaron Baddley in a playoff in the first full-field event. A new driver made him especially lethal, recording drives up to 380 yards. Els plays a somewhat limited schedule on the PGA tour, playing a well-rounded worldwide schedule. Els knows how to play on virtually any type of layout and is a joy to watch.

Davis Love III � Wins at Pebble Beach and at the Heritage (tourneys he practically owns), along with a win in the Tour Championship made DL3 one of the hot golfers early in 2003. His dramatic chip-in at Hilton Head to force a playoff was especially a joy to watch. Unfortunately, personal tragedy put a damper on Love�s season when his brother committed suicide soon after being investigated by the feds over Love�s finances. Love spent the season trying to re-focus, and a decisive win at the International in August went a long ways towards accomplishing that. Another potential concern with Love are back problems which could curtail his future schedule.

Mike Weir � Thanks to countless hours spent in a specially constructed practice range in the basement of his home, the lefty was one of the early storylines of the �03 season, winning three tournaments culminating with his win at the Masters � and making him a national hero in his native Canada. Seemed not to regain his focus after that, and was also trying to work on getting extra yards off the driver. Is especially deadly with irons, and one of the better par-3 players around. While he�s obviously proven his worth at Augusta, his low ball flight may actually fare better in the other three major events. He usually plays with hockey legend Wayne Gretzky as a celebrity partner at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Retief Goosen � The Dannion Brinkley of the golf world, man was struck by lightning as a teenager, burning the clothes and shoes right off him, melting his wristwatch into his skin � and leaving him with a partial loss of hearing. Goosen was back on the links a week later. Very accurate for a long-hitter and can be dominant at times. Many wonder why he hasn�t won more, although he is one to get flustered by bad homes. Rose from 82nd to fourth in the world after his 2001 U.S Open win.

Chris DiMarco � Self-taught player who doesn�t depend on personal entourages to fix what�s wrong with his game. One of the best putters around with a �don�t try this at home� cross-handed style. Usually fares very well on the fast, tricky greens at the Masters, but withdrew after an 82 there last year.

David Toms � Best remembered for laying up from a bad lie, then draining a 12-footer on the 72nd hole to win the 2001 PGA Championship. A classic ball-striker who doesn�t seem to get on many hot streaks, but always manages to be in the top ten at the end of the year. Seems to be at his best in the hot weather, especially in locales (Charlotte, Memphis, New Orleans) near his native Louisiana. His PGA win was in Georgia.

Jim Furyk � Look past his funky swing, and you will find one of the most consistent men in the game. Furyk has won tourneys in eight of the last nine years, but 2003 was the first time he won twice � one of the wins being the U.S. Open. Not spectacular, but doesn�t get in trouble and make mistakes. He is at his best on the difficult layouts and in majors.

Stuart Appleby � Has always been a solid player, posting a pair of wins in 2000 and 2001, more impressive considering that wasn�t too long after the tragic loss of his wife in 1999. One gets the feeling he really puts it all together this year and win often.

Charles Howell III � This could be one of the youngsters who join the elite this year. Look past his skinny frame and the fact that he is still only 24, and you will find a player with huge power off the tee, and who has been groomed by David Leadbetter since the age of 12. Chuckie is also from Augusta, GA, so you know he wants to win the tournament that happens to be in that town in early April. As soon as he dials down his swing and improves his scrambling skills he should be top ten.

Adam Scott � Most likely you know him if you�re a Golf Channel junkie. A Butch Harmon pupil, his swing is about as close to Tiger Woods without seeing the real deal. Won his first American tourney last year, took Tiger Woods to extra holes in the World Match Play tourney finals, and won the Scottish open by ten shots. He isn�t a full-time player on the PGA tour, so take advantage when he does play in the U.S.

Jerry Kelly � One-time hockey player is considered one of the bigger whiners on tour. Look past that and he�s one of the best bets in �B� Events � Kelly went �10 in a ten hole span in the Las Vegas Invitational. Won twice in 2002 at the Hawaii and Western Opens. Plays in a ton of tourneys, which sometimes works against him � Kelly became dangerously dehydrated at the British open after competing in the Western and Greater Milwaukee Opens on consecutive weeks. Good sleeper pick for the PGA Championship, which is in his native Wisconsin.

Steve Flesch � Like Mike Weir and Phil Mickelson, Flesch is a natural right-hander who plays left-handed. But in Flesch�s case, he at one time played competitively right-handed. Has been knocking on the door for several years, but finally busted through with a win in New Orleans last year. Played in more events (33) than anyone last year.


CROSSROAD PLAYERS

Phil Mickelson � Year started with Lefty blasting Tiger about �inferior equipment�. Turned out that there was plenty inferior about Mickelson�s game in 2003. Lefty ditched his coach in favor of Butch Harmon, and the two immediately butted heads about course management. Word was that Butch told Phil what everyone else does, that Mickelson should not be going for broke on every shot. I imagine Phil and his doctor also butted heads after Doc suggested that Lefty cut down on the carbs and go with skim milk. When the smoke cleared Phil was a measly 38th on the money list. Still should be a good bet in the B events he likes to enter and the Masters remains his lone threat to take a major.

Sergio Garcia � Has totally rebuilt his swing to improve his accuracy off the tee, and is experimenting with a belly putter. Keep in mind that he is still only 24, and it may take a couple years for Garcia to mature completely and become a consistent winner again.

Darren Clarke � Has proven himself by winning two WGC events against the best of the world. However is inconsistent and even got DQ�d from a tourney last year for signing a bogus scorecard. Keep an eye on him this year though as the hefty Irishman has dropped 30 pounds and has sworn off smoking.

Chad Campbell � If he just had a short game and any semblance of scrambling ability, he would be awesome. Was runner-up at the PGA and sixth at the Tour Championship.


ASIAN CONTINGENT

K.J Choi � Once squatted 350 pounds as a 13-year old, sounds like he was more on the way to becoming an NFL lineman than a Tour Pro. Instructors are very impressed with his swing, not a big hitter � his game is compared with Fred Funk. Short game can use some more work.

Hidemichi Tanaka � 5�6� 135 pounds, in other words K. J Choi can squat three of him. Scoring average 72nd last year, but 147th on Sundays. Once he gets the confidence to do well when the pressure�s on look out.

Briny Baird � Chinese restaurant chain P.F Chang�s is one of his sponsors, so we�ll list him in this section. Second in greens-in-regulation and top-twenty in total driving. Father is on the Champions Tour so he knows the drill of the pro golf world. Does not get rattled. Putting and scrambling are his weak areas, expect him to be in the top-twenty on tour very soon.

Rich Beem � Had an amazing month in August 2002, winning a memorable dual with Steve Lowery at the International before staring down Tiger Woods to win the PGA. But hasn�t done much since, placing 71st on the money list last year. He is a go-for-broke golfer, so unless he is on a hot streak is not a good play.

Shaun Micheel � Delivered the final dagger in winning the PGA Championship sticking his approach within two inches of the 72nd hole. Grew up in Hogan�s Alley, so look for him at the Colonial. Look for him to do well in the first two rounds of tournaments, as weekend pin placements usually do him in.

Fred Couples � Many say that if had put his mind to it from the start, that he would had been among the all-time greats. We saw a good dose of his old greatness in �03 as Couples won the Houston Open and made the cut in his final 17 events. His back is a question mark and is not a full-time player, but should definitely be considered if in the field.

Kenny Perry � How would you like this stretch: 1st (Colonial), 1st (Memorial), 3rd (U.S Open), 1st (Milwaukee), 8th (British), 4th, 8th, and 10th (PGA). Can you say he was as hot as Tabasco sauce??? Improving his putting game played a key role in his hot streak.

Nick Price � Stubborn to adapt to new technology, Price isn�t the top player he was in the early 1990�s. However, he still ranked in the top 20 in scoring and putting last year and still gets up and down (saves from roughs/bunkers) as well as anyone. Good choice in events on shorter layouts, where the big driver is not a necessity.

Fred Funk � Self-taught player who is incredibly accurate off the tee. Fares the best in the B events, preferably on the shorter courses. Also tends to fade on Sunday when the green placements get really tough.

Rocco Mediate � Always one of the favorites in Phoenix, and the West Coast Swing (January/February) in general.

Scott Hoch � Usually does well on the Florida swing in March. Did not win many popularity contests when he refused to attempt his putt in the Doral playoff last year in darkening conditions. After the playoff was suspended, Hoch came back the next morning and calmly drained the putt to win the tourney after nearly withdrawing due to a bad hand.

Bob Tway � Yet another 40-something who won last year, winning the Canadian Open. Often stumbles in the final round though.

Jay Haas � Definitely keep him in mind if in a Champions Tour pool, he turned the big five � oh in December. But he feels he still has unfinished business on the PGA side, he nearly won the Bob Hope tourney last year.

Peter Jacobsen � Becomes eligible for the Champions Tour in August. Also won the Greater Hartford Open last year, so he can still play with the big boys.

Loren Roberts � The �Boss of the Moss� (for his putting attributes) is still very capable at Bay Hill, Milwaukee, Memphis, or anywhere in Texas.

Jeff Sluman � 5�7� 140 lbs � not a big hitter but has the entire arsenal of shots. Another pick for the shot-makers courses and also tends to make noise at the U.S. Open.

Mark Calcavecchia � When the putter�s on look out, a front nine 29 and 18-hole total 60 at the Phoenix Open three years ago prove his worth in that tournament. Also plays well at the Masters.

Duffy Waldorf � Loves to make noise on Thursday and Friday.

Woody Austin � Best known for smashing the putter over his head a few years back. Needless to say, he can get down on himself. A nice play on tough courses though.

Tim Petrovic � I loved when Feherty suggested to him that his last name sounds like an inner-ear infection. Does well in windy places (think Phoenix) and is a good putter. Struggled to get in the show for years and played in a ton of tourneys last year.

Tim Herron � Plays well in the cooler weather (early and late in the year) and also in the early rounds. If Lumpy ever gets himself in shape look out.

Matt Gogel � If you have to play him once a year, make it at the Pebble Beach/Pro-Am.

Ben Crane � Great with the driver and putter, but has issues with all the clubs in between. Did win the BellSouth in Georgia last year.

Zach Johnson � The Nationwide Tour�s all-time leading money winner. Seems mature and PGA-tour ready � a nice player to grab at a rock-bottom salary.

Rory Sabbatini � Another player who tends to get hacked off a lot. Drives the ball well but finds himself in trouble too often.

Steve Lowery � If in a pool that rewards for eagles, this is your guy. Eagled and Double-Eagled in the closing holes of the International in �02 and hit a hole-in-one at the Hope last year.

Carl Pettersson � Plays a lot and contends when his putter is hot. The driver is a big detriment to him though.

Skip Kendall � Had to change his grip after cutting off part of a finger last year, not good for a golfer.

Len Mattiace � Did in his knee skiing during the silly season, and wound up getting it scoped out. Don't expect him until the Florida Swing begins.

Michelle Wie - 14-year old is entered in the Sony Open, don't look for her to be intimidated by the guys. The girl is absolutely freakish!!!

Mercedes Championship (1/8 � 1/11) � Par 73, the final hole being 663 yards downwind. Restricted to tournament winners from the previous year, a 30-man field.

Hawaiian Open (1/15 � 1/18) � Won by Ernie Els on the second playoff hole with a memorable long putt from off the fringe.

Bob Hope Desert Classic (1/21 � 1/25) � Five rounds played on four different courses. Scores are usually very low for the first four days to accommodate the amateurs. High winds sent scores soaring in the final round last year, with Mike Weir prevailing while Tim Herron among others collapsed.

Phoenix Open (1/29 � 2/1) � Golf�s version of the Oakland Raiders Black Hole, the fans are that rowdy. Justin Leonard got flustered by the gallery while battling local favorite Phil Mickelson back in 1995. Tiger Woods plays here sometime, and got the gallery going ballistic with a hole-in-one on 17 one year. Chris DiMarco, Vijay Singh, and Rocco Mediate are among those to watch.

Pebble Beach Pro-Am (2/5 � 2/8) � Pebble Beach is usually the most difficult course, followed by Spyglass and Poppy Hills. Davis Love and Tiger Woods own the place, Matt Gogel is the best darkhorse.

Torrey Pines (2/12 � 2/15) � The longer South Course plays much harder than the North, and will host a U.S Open in a few years. Local favorites Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are usually the best bets.

LA Open (2/19 � 2/22) � Mike Weir defeated Chuck Howell in a playoff to win last year. Watch out for Kirk Triplett if it�s raining. Davis Love, Scott McCarron, and Robert Allenby are among the others to watch. Tiger is usually in the field as well.

Match Play Championship (2/25 � 2/29) � Top 64 players in the world playing head-to-head in a NCAA tournament-like format. Although Tiger Woods won last year, this is good tourney to pick a sleeper, as just one bad round often eliminates much of golfs elite.

Tucson Open (2/26 � 2/29) � And this is kind of the NIT compared to the Match Play�s NCAA, but you�ll be surprised at the quality of the field. Those eliminated in the first round of Match Play on Wednesday are not eligible to enter Tucson at the last minute.

Doral Open (3/4 � 3/7) � The first sign of spring as the Tour starts it�s trek up the Florida coastline. The Blue Monster is one of the most dramatic final holes on tour. Veterans such as Scott Hoch and Jim Furyk usually do very well in this event. Don�t look for Ernie Els or Tiger Woods, as the duo will be overseas playing in the lucrative Dubai Desert Classic.

Honda Classic (3/11 � 3/14) � Only the second year at it�s current venue, and most of the top players choose this event to skip out of the March schedule. Jesper Parnevik and Vijay Singh are a couple of the big names that do play. Justin Leonard cruised to victory shooting �24 last year.

Bay Hill (3/18 � 3/21) � Winners over the past five years include Tiger Woods, Tiger Woods, Tiger Woods, Tiger Woods, and Tim Herron (how the hell did he get in there!!!!). This is usually a heavyweight field as players get prepped for the Players Championship and Masters.

Players Championship (3/24 � 3/28) � I�m still trying to figure out how Craig Perks won this thing two years ago. Actually very few have this course mastered, although Vijay Singh and Davis Love are the best bets.

BellSouth Classic (4/1 � 4/4) � Many of the top players take the week off prior to the Masters, but recent winners here include Retief Goosen, Scott McCarron, Phil Mickelson, and David Duval.

Masters (4/8 � 4/11) � By lengthening Augusta National out, they made an already tough course even harder. Mike Wier won last year only going �7. Tiger and Vijay are the best bets, but don�t forget Lefty is he rediscovers his game � Mickelson has finished third three times. And don�t forget Jose Marie Olazabal, who has won twice along with a second-place showing.

Heritage (4/15 � 4/18) � This is where Woody Austin likes to smash his putter against his melon, but actually he does very well here and should had won last year, except for some final hole and playoff heroics out of Davis Love.

Houston (4/21 � 4/25) � Just think Allenby and Appleby, although Vijay and Freddie Couples are also recent winners.

New Orleans (4/29 � 5/2) � This tournament�s final year at English Turn, as it moves to a TPC course next year. A lot of golf�s second tier tends to break through in this event, Carlos Franco won twice in the late 1990�s.

Wachovia (5/6 � 5/9) � Look for a heavyweight field as the tournament sponsor pampers the participants like no other (that's what your 23 percent interest rate and late charges go for). Despite a quadruple-bogey on the last home, David Toms held on to win the inaugural event last year over Vijay Singh.

Byron Nelson (5/13 � 5/16) � Yep, the man is still alive. Two courses (both par 70�s) are used for the event. Vijay Singh won last year, giving him an excuse for skipping the following week�s tournament � and eliminating any chance of bumping into Annika.

Colonial (5/20 � 5/23) � The course Sorenstam made famous last year. If you watched it, you were introduce to the �Horrible Horseshoe� which are holes 3-5. That stretch did Annika in, collecting her as just another of it�s many victims. Kenny Perry started his 2003 hot streak with a win in this event.

Memphis (5/27 � 5/30) � A tournament notorious for it�s heat, this year it is being played earlier than normal. Many golfers burn this course alive.

Memorial (6/3 � 6/6) � Kenny Perry got his second win here last year, but Tiger is a three-time winner.

Buick (Westchester) (6/10 � 6/13) � This will be played the week before, as opposed to the week after the U.S Open � which also happens to be in the same area, so look for a better field than normal.

U.S Open (6/17 � 6/20) � Golf�s father�s day weekend classic returns to Long Island for the second time in three years. This time it will be at Shinnecock Hills, which plays much like a British Open course with wind being a factor.

Booz Allen Open (6/24 � 6/27) � Better known as the Kemper Open. Never a particularly strong field, look for many to skip the difficult Avenal layout while getting ready for the more lucrative events.

Western Open (7/1 � 7/4) � Tiger is usually on the fence when it comes to playing this one, although he is the defending champion.

John Deere Classic (7/8 � 7/11) � Was played in September last year, and was able to get Vijay Singh who won the event. Don�t expect many of the big names with the British Open looming.

British Open (7/15 � 7/18) � This year at Royal Troon, where Justin Leonard won over Jesper Parnevik in 1997. Also look out for Thomas Bjorn, golf�s best kept secret who should had won the Open last year.

B.C. Open (7/15 � 7/18) � Craig Stadler made history by winning here last year, becoming the first player to win on the PGA and Champion Tours in the same year.

Greater Milwaukee Open (7/22 � 7/25) � Now held the week after instead of the week before the Open. Don�t expect too much more starpower in the field, although Lefty or Vijay may decide to drop in - or even a few who want to make a side trip to check out Whistling Straits. Kenny Perry won this too last year.

Buick Open (Michigan) (7/29 � 8/1) � Kenny Perry is also a recent winner here. Two years ago it came down to Tiger Woods and Esteban Toledo, talk about David and Goliath. Needless to say TW came away victorious that time.

International (8/5 � 8/8) � No lead seems safe under the modified Stableford scoring system (wonder what the original Stableford system was like), although Davis Love built up such a lead last year that Feherty said that his only chance of not winning was �if the blimp crashed on top of him�. Fortunately, it was not Black Sunday for Love as he finished at +46.

PGA (8/11 � 8/15) � To be held on the Lake Michigan shoreline in Wisconsin, on yet another course that will give the tourney a British Open type feel. Players are already raving about the Whistling Straits course, Peter Jacobsen calls it �one of the best five courses in the world�. If attending the championship, a short side-trip to Green Bay to check out Packers training camp and the Lambeau Field Atrium (Hall of Fame, Pro Shop, etc.) is a must.

NEC Invitational (8/19 � 8/22) � Feel free to also call it the World Series of Golf. Limited field of the top 50 golfers in the world. Darren Clarke won last year, but Tiger Woods had a three year run from 1999-2001. Davis Love hit a drive last year that was measured at 419 yards!!!!!

Reno (8/19 � 8/22) � The B event for the week. If DL3 could go 419 yards at Firestone, how long would that translate to in Reno??? Probably in orbit.

Hartford (8/26 � 8/29) � Look for the new date to breathe some life into this tournament. Phil Mickelson is a recent two-time winner.

Deutsche Bank (9/3 � 9/6) � Held in Boston, not Germany. Adam Scott got his first Tour win in the inaugural event last year.

Canadian Open (9/9 � 9/12) � The Deutsche Bank tourney runs through Monday (Labor Day), further hurting the efforts of getting a quality field � along with the Ryder Cup being held the following weekend.

Texas (9/16 � 9/19) � Justin Leonard is a recent two-time winner, but will probably be a Ryder Cup selection. Tournament could get a stray Aussie or South African not involved in the Cup. Veterans usually prevail here, with recent winners including Hal Sutton, Loren Roberts, and Tommy Armour the ninth.

Pennsylvania (9/23 � 9/26) � Don�t look for a strong field with the WGC event in Ireland the following week.

WGC Championship (9/30 � 10/3) � Returns to the venue where Tiger Woods won two years ago. A limited field event.

Southern Farm Bureau (9/30 � 10/3) � The B event for the week.

Las Vegas (10/6 � 10/10) � This is tentative, actually the official PGA schedule has 'TBD' for this weekend. The sponsorless tourney had to cut it's purse last year, and it's future is in doubt. There are potential sponsors, but the PGA has told organizers that any sponsor cannot be related to the area's gambling industry. The PGA has kept the door open for the 90-hole tournament over three courses to be played as schedule, but other locations as well as just taking the week off has also been discussed. If the event is played, watch out for Stuart Appleby and Scott McCarron.

Greensboro (10/14 � 10/17) � Davis Love redesigned the golf course, and figures as one of the favorites if he plays.

Disney (10/21 � 10/24) � Tourament is literally in Tiger Woods back yard, so look for him and some of his closest friends to play here.

Chrysler (10/28 � 10/31) � New sponsor has created excitement for this Tampa event, along with a monster purse. Last chance for players fighting for a top-30 spot for the Tour Championship.

Tour Championship (11/4 � 11/7) � Lucrative tourney limited to the top 30 money winners.