PGA Tour Player of the Year

The tour player of the year will be announced Dec. 8. A look at the top candidates:

The Front-Runners

Tiger Woods

Born: Dec. 30, 1975, Cypress

Turned pro: 1996.

2003 Earnings: $6,673,413.

Earnings per tournament: $370,745.

Wins: 5. Top 10s: 12.

Scoring Average: 68.41.

Biggest win: WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Miscellaneous: Tied Byron Nelson’s long-standing consecutive cuts-made record at 113. Was player of the year in 1997, 1999-2002.

Official world golf ranking: 1.

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Vijay Singh

Born: Feb. 22, 1963, Lautoka, Fiji.

Turned pro: 1982.

2003 Earnings: $7,573,907.

Earnings per tournament: $280,515.

Wins: 4. Top 10s: 18.

Scoring Average: 68.65.

Biggest win: EDS Byron Nelson Championship.

Miscellaneous: Remained consistent, winning in January, May, September and October. Has never won player of the year.

Official world golf ranking: 2.

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The Longshots

Mike Weir

Born: May 12, 1970, Sarnia, Canada.

Turned pro: 1992.

2003 Earnings: $4,918,910.

Earnings per tournament: $234,233.

Wins: 3. Top 10s: 10.

Scoring Average: 68.97.

Biggest win: Masters.

Miscellaneous: Enjoyed his first multiple-win season. Has never won player of the year.

Official World Golf Ranking: 6.

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Davis Love III

Born: April 13, 1964, Charlotte, N.C.

Turned pro: 1985.

2003 earnings: $6,081,896.

Earnings per tournament: $264,430.

Wins: 4. Top 10s: 11.

Scoring Average: 69.41.

Biggest win: The Players Championship.

Miscellaneous: Overcame personal tragedy this year to excel. Has never won player of the year.

Official world golf ranking: 4.

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Jim Furyk

Born: May 12, 1970, West Chester, Pa.

Turned pro: 1992.

2003 earnings: $5,182,865.

Earnings per tournament: $191,957.

Wins: 2. Top 10s: 15.

Scoring Average: 69.10.

Biggest win: U.S. Open.

Miscellaneous: Consistent winner on Tour finally broke through with multiple wins and first major. Has never won player of the year.

Official world golf ranking: 5.

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Past players of the year

A look at the player of the year and contenders since 1990

*--* Player of Top on Lowest the year Money Scoring Most Year (major wins) List Average wins 1990 Wayne Levi (0) Norman Norman Levi (4) 1991 Fred Couples (0) Pavin Couples Multiple with 2 1992 Fred Couples (1) Couples Couples Multiple with 3 1993 Nick Price (0) Price Norman Price (4) 1994 Nick Price (2) Price Norman Price (6) 1995 Greg Norman (0) Norman Norman Janzen/Norman (3) 1996 Tom Lehman (1) Lehman Lehman Mickelson (4) 1997 Tiger Woods(1) Woods Price Woods (4) 1998 Mark O’Meara (2) Duval Duval Duval (4) 1999 Tiger Woods (1) Woods Woods Woods (8) 2000 Tiger Woods (3) Woods Woods Woods (9) 2001 Tiger Woods(1) Woods Woods Woods (5) 2002 Tiger Woods (2) Woods Woods Woods (5) 2003 TBA Singh Woods Woods (5)

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