It hasn’t been easy winning the International from atop the rankings list, as lesser-knowns such as Pampling, Pernice Jr. and Beem have finished above Els, Mickelson and Singh in recent years. But Mickelson, a two-time champion at Castle Pines, leads a group of talented players who could all make their mark at the International this week.
1. Phil Mickelson – It’s laughable to say Mickelson is having an off year, with three PGA Tour victories already bagged. But the 2004 Masters champion hasn’t contended in a major championship this year (best was 10th at Augusta) and is determined to regain some momentum at Castle Pines.
2. Retief Goosen – His final-round collapses this year at the U.S Open Pinehurst and British Open at St. Andrews had to shake the confidence of the quiet South African, who had been considered steady and unflappable. His putting last Monday at the “Battle at the Bridges” TV match looked solid.
3. Sergio Garcia – One of the most popular players to play at Castle Pines, Garcia also skipped last year’s event to practice for the PGA Championship. In five appearances at The International, Garcia has never failed to make the cut to Sunday.
4. Chris DiMarco – If ever a player was due to win The International, it may be DiMarco, who blew a fourth-round lead last year to tie for sixth and finished in a tie for third in 2001. A terrific putter, DiMarco can become a marquee player if he learns how to close.
5. David Toms – The 2001 PGA Championship winner credits his 1999 victory at Castle Pines as being the turning point in his career. Toms must prove that he can play well in The International again. He hasn’t made it to Sunday since his victory.
6. Davis Love III – Don’t look now, but Love hasn’t won a PGA Tour event since he coasted to the 2003 International title. But runner-up finishes this year in the MCI Heritage at Hilton Head and the Booz Allen Classic suggest his game isn’t far off.
7. Charles Howell III – The long-hitting Georgian says he will never miss an opportunity to play in The International and has a game well suited for Castle Pines. He appeared to turn the corner with a ninth-place finish in 2003 but missed the cut last year.
8. Rod Pampling – Nobody has successfully defended his title at The International and the Texas-based Australian will be the next to try. Pampling tied for fifth in the 2005 Masters but hasn’t contended on the back nine on Sunday since his win last August at Castle Pines.
9. Stuart Appleby – Aussie played solidly last year with 20 points to tie for 19th but has been pegged as a future International champ. Best finish at Castle Pines was third in 2000. This year became the first repeat winner of the Mercedes Championship in 22 years.
10. Robert Allenby – Hoping to turn around an off year that includes just two top 10s. Has four career PGA Tour victories.
THE NEXT 20
Although the list of champions at Castle Pines includes a host of marquee players, there is room for lesser names to sneak in. Rod Pampling has earned more than $1 million on the PGA Tour in the past two years, but many golf fans knew little about the amicable Aussie until he won the 2004 International.
11. STEWART CINK – 2004 Ryder Cup member posted best International finish last year with tie for sixth.
12. CHRIS RILEY – Always plays on Sunday at Castle Pines but hasn’t contended since runner-up finish in 2001.
13. FRED COUPLES – Game is rejuvenated but Castle Pines’ hills can be tough on his problem back.
14. BRANDT JOBE – Turns 40 on Monday and hopes to celebrate at Castle Pines with his first PGA Tour victory.
15. TOM PERNICE JR. – Proved his 2001 International win was no fluke by placing third last year.
16. TODD HAMILTON – 2004 British Open champion entered last week without a top 10 this year.
17. ALEX CEJKA – Was ready to join winner’s circle at Castle Pines a year ago until Pampling eagled No. 17.
18. STEPHEN AMES – Hasn’t played well at Castle Pines since top 10s in 1999 and 2000, so he’s due.
19. DUFFY WALDORF – Fourth-place showing last year was his best since a third-place finish in 1994.
20. MIKE WEIR – 2003 Masters champion and Utah resident often skips The International.
21. JONATHAN KAYE – Denver native rarely plays well at Castle Pines, perhaps putting too much pressure on himself.
22. GEOFF OGILVY – Aussie has made it to Sunday in each of his three appearances; now ready to contend.
23. SEAN O’HAIR – PGA Tour rookie claimed his first victory at John Deere Classic amid Michelle Wie hoopla.
24. JUSTIN ROSE – One-time British phenom challenged last year at Castle Pines but scored minus-1 on Sunday.
25. BOB TWAY – Tied for ninth last year despite scoring just minus-3 points on Sunday.
26. JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL – Entered last week with five top 10s in 12 PGA Tour starts.
27. MARK HENSBY – Last year, in his International debut, the Aussie tied for 24th and posted plus-numbers each round.
28. LUKE DONALD – Can a European with moderate length win at Castle Pines? Jose Maria Olazabal did it.
29. RICH BEEM – Has missed cut in 13 of 18 starts, not what you’d expect from 2002 International and PGA winner.
30. AARON BADDELEY – Big hitter has four top 10s but has slumped of late.
THE DARK HORSES
The biggest surprise champion in the history of The International is 1996 winner Clarence Rose, who subsequently lost his exempt status on the PGA Tour. Although he plays every year in The International, Rose hasn’t made the cut to Sunday since his victory nine years ago.
31. DAVID DUVAL – The 2001 British Open champion and new Denver-area resident says his game is getting close.
32. RYAN PALMER – Tour sophomore might have snapped out of a funk with tie for second at B.C. Open.
33. BILLY MAYFAIR – Going to the long putter has helped native Arizonan to six top 10s this year.
34. STEVE JONES – Former CU golfer and U.S. Open champion entered last week ranked 100th in career earnings.
35. KEVIN NA – The youngest (21) player on PGA Tour tied for 19th in his 2004 International debut.
36. JOE OGILVIE – Ogilvie ought to place a friendly wager with Ogilvy on who finishes higher.
37. BRAD FAXON – Relatively short hitter (185th on tour in 2004) found a way to win 1992 International.
38. MARK CALCAVECCHIA – Former British Open champ is considered a Floridian but grew up in Nebraska.
39. JONATHAN BYRD – Just 5-feet-9, 160 pounds but ranked 27th in driving distance (296.0) beginning last week.
40. K.J. CHOI – South Korea is known mostly for producing LPGA players but Choi has two PGA Tour wins.
41. FRANK LICKLITER – Missed out on a big paycheck last year at Castle Pines with minus-1 after three rounds.
42. KEVIN SUTHERLAND – Tied for 12th last year despite scoring just 1 point on Sunday.
43. JOHN COOK – The 47-year-old former International champion (1987) tied for 24th last year at Castle Pines.
44. ROCCO MEDIATE – Has rebuilt his game since tying for 15th last year at Castle Pines.
45. SCOTT McCARRON – College teammate of Brandt Jobe (UCLA) hasn’t recorded a top-10 since February.
46. HANK KUEHNE – If nothing else, his tee shot off No. 1 (best of 495 yards) is worth price of admission.
47. GREG NORMAN – Can the 50-year-old Shark, who recently made his Senior Tour debut, turn back the clock?
48. JOHN SENDEN – With only two top 10s in 2005, he’s hungry; just missed the cut to Sunday last year at Castle Pines
49. JUSTIN LEONARD – Former British Open champion played well here a year ago.
50. KEVIN STADLER – Local product has the length to compete at Castle Pines, needs to control distance.
(Note: All statistics are through the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee.)
