TOP CONTENDERS

TIGER WOODS

* Age: 24.

* PGA Tour victories: 19.

* World ranking: 1st.

* Majors: Masters (‘97), PGA Championship (‘99).

* U.S. Open appearances: 5.

* Best finish: Tied for 3rd.

* Last year: Tied for 3rd.

* Backspin: Three reasons why U.S. Open title is only matter of time--mental toughness, great control and a superb short game. Added own chapter to Pebble Beach lore by coming from seven strokes back with seven holes left to win in February.

ERNIE ELS

* Age: 30.

* PGA Tour victories: 7.

* World ranking: 9th.

* Majors: U.S. Open (‘94, ‘97).

* U.S. Open appearances: 7.

* Best finish: Won.

* Last year: Missed cut.

* Backspin: If history is any indication, he wins a U.S. Open every third year. If form is any indication, he should make a serious run this time. Els usually rises to the challenge when Woods is around. Needs to keep his head in the game for all four rounds.

DAVIS LOVE III

* Age: 36.

* PGA Tour victories: 13.

* World ranking: 4th.

* Majors: PGA Championship (‘97).

* U.S. Open appearances: 11.

* Best finish: Tied for 2nd.

* Last year: Tied for 12th .

* Backspin: If the USGA allowed a pinch-putter, he’d be a lock. Drives the ball beautifully and has been consistent all year. Hasn’t won in more than two years but keeps giving himself chances. This might be the week everything comes together, and the putts go in.

PHIL MICKELSON

* Age: 29.

* PGA Tour victories: 16.

* World ranking: 5th.

* Majors: None.

* U.S. Open appearances: 9.

* Best finish: 2nd.

* Last year: 2nd.

* Backspin: Last player to win a significant tournament at Pebble without wearing a sweater or rain gear. Won Pebble Pro-Am when it was completed in August 1998. That was his last victory until this year; he has three victories, second to Woods. Proved last year he has what it takes to win a U.S. Open.

DAVID DUVAL

* Age: 28.

* PGA Tour victories: 11.

* World ranking: 2nd.

* Majors: None.

* U.S. Open appearances: 7.

* Best finish: Tied for 7th.

* Last year: Tied for 7th.

* Backspin: Great track record at Pebble. But he hasn’t won since before the ’99 Masters, primarily because he can’t make enough putts. Spent a lot of energy on the Masters, where he had a chance on the back nine for the third straight year. If he gets confidence back with the putter, will be a factor Sunday.

HAL SUTTON

* Age: 42.

* PGA Tour victories: 13.

* World ranking: 7th.

* Majors: PGA Championship (‘83).

* U.S. Open appearances: 14.

* Best finish: Tied for 4th.

* Last year: Tied for 7th.

* Backspin: The only thing missing from his career revival is a major championship. Pebble sets up well for Sutton, one of the most accurate drivers on tour. His fate depends on finding the fairway. Protects leads well, as he showed against Woods in The Players Championship.

VIJAY SINGH

* Age: 37.

* PGA Tour victories: 9.

* World ranking: 6th.

* Majors: PGA Championship (‘98), Masters (‘00).

* U.S. Open appearances: 6.

* Best finish: Tied for 3rd.

* Last year: Tied for 3rd.

* Backspin: Has won two of the last six major championships, and the only player capable of winning the Grand Slam this year. Pebble suits his game--he tied for second behind Woods in February. Confidence has never been higher.

PAUL AZINGER

* Age: 40.

* PGA Tour victories: 12.

* World ranking: 34th.

* Majors: PGA Championship (‘93).

* U.S. Open appearances: 15.

* Best finish: Tied for 3rd.

* Last year: Tied for 12th.

* Backspin: Feels as though his best golf is right in front of him. A good wind player, which could be key, and finally comfortable with a putter that makes him look as if he’s falling on a sword.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE

* Age: 36.

* PGA Tour victories: None.

* World ranking: 3rd.

* Majors: None.

* U.S. Open appearances: 8.

* Best finish: 3rd.

* Last year: Tied for 15th.

* Backspin: Jack Nicklaus congratulated Monty for winning the Open when the Scotsman finished at even par in 1992--only to be third behind Tom Kite and Jeff Sluman. Accuracy a key, as always. Not consistent with the putter, but he won’t stray too far from par, which is always good in the Open.

JUSTIN LEONARD

* Age: 27.

* PGA Tour victories: 4.

* World ranking: 17th.

* Majors: British Open (‘97).

* U.S. Open appearances: 5.

* Best finish: Tied for 15th.

* Last year: Tied for 15th.

* Backspin: Lost until he pulled himself out of a funk the past two weeks. Has won only four times on tour, but two of those are biggies -- British Open and Players Championship. Can raise his game when the stakes are high, and plays within himself.

JESPER PARNEVIK

* Age: 35.

* PGA Tour victories: 4.

* World ranking: 10th.

* Majors: None.

* U.S. Open appearances: 3.

* Best finish: Tied for 14th.

* Last year: Tied for 17th.

* Backspin: No U.S. Open champion has ever worn pink pants. In his favor is the Swede’s game, which is superb. Putter can be streaky, but his iron play is as good as anyone on tour. Key for the week is driving.

DARREN CLARKE

* Age: 31.

* PGA Tour victories: 1.

* World ranking: 13th.

* Majors: None.

* U.S. Open appearances: 4.

* Best finish: Tied for 10th.

* Last year: Tied for 10th.

* Backspin: Proved his mettle in the Match Play Championship, where he beat Woods for his first American victory. Coming off victory in English Open, where he closed with a 65. Good driver when he’s on his game. Good wind player, which will help. Lack of experience at Pebble Beach could hurt.

TOM LEHMAN

* Age: 41.

* PGA Tour victories: 5.

* World ranking: 12th.

* Majors: British Open (‘96).

* U.S. Open appearances: 11.

* Best finish: Tied for 2nd.

* Last year: Tied for 28th.

* Backspin: Loves Pebble Beach, and not just because he met his wife there. Open has turned into an annual heartache. Strong driver, questionable putter. Win in Phoenix put him in a good frame of mind for the rest of the year.

FRED COUPLES

* Age: 40.

* PGA Tour victories: 14.

* World ranking: 48th.

* Majors: Masters (‘92).

* U.S. Open appearances: 17.

* Best finish: Tied for 3rd.

* Last year: Missed cut.

* Backspin: Can’t be overlooked on talent alone. Has been playing and practicing more, and has always fared well in the wind. Has only two top 10s in the U.S. Open, although his talent combined with a good week could lead to a long overdue second major.

JIM FURYK

* Age: 30.

* PGA Tour victories: 5.

* World ranking: 14th.

* Majors: None.

* U.S. Open appearances: 5.

* Best finish: Tied for 5th.

* Last year: Tied for 17th.

* Backspin: Impressive comeback victory at Doral, which was inspired by watching Woods win the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. A good wind player and a good U.S. Open player because of his accuracy. Of all the majors, this seems to suit his game.