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United States
If sadists are seeking a brash young American to emulate Bobby Clampett's exploits in 1982, then this 25-year-old from Florida might be an excellent choice. Clampett, whose outlandish attire spawned a spate of "Knickerbocker Glory" headlines 15 years ago, led by five shots at half-way only to fade to an eventual share of 10th place. His humiliation blighted a career which yielded just one win. With shades of the young Clampett, Duval is seen as one of America's most talented, yet flawed, prospects. Despite banking more than $2.5m in prize money during his brief time on the US tour, a suspect grip has already triggered several collapses when it seemed easier to win than not. Getting into contention is rarely a problem but pushing on, as seven second places in under three years attest, undoubtedly is.
Peter Lonard
Australia
FIVE years of suffering from Ross River Fever, a debilitating complaint not dissimilar to malaria, knocked the stuffing out of the Sydney-born player's career during his mid-20s. After rising to eighth in the Australasian Order of Merit in 1991, Lonard soon found himself back among the also-rans as the illness sapped his energy. Now he has recovered, his form has blossomed to such an extent that it would be no surprise if competitors, spectators and media personnel alike were soon asking "Peter who?". He won his first tour title, the Australian Masters, four months ago, on his way to finishing top of the 1996-97 Order of Merit, which secured his place this week. He is 40th in the European money list largely because he was joint second at the Heineken Classic in January. An additional omen: he turns 30 on Thursday.
Ross McFarlane
England
THERE is an honourable tradition of journeyman British professionals finding themselves near the top of the Open Championship leaderboard after the first or second round only to slide gracefully from view over the weekend. A prime candidate for exposure above his accustomed station this year is this 36-year-old late developer, the son of a former Manchester United footballer. Prior to this season, the jovial Mancunian was best known on the European tour for the smiley faces, flowers and flags which he habitually paints on his golf balls. After 10 years of relative obscurity, though, McFarlane made an unexpected, yet welcome, breakthrough with his first tour victory in the Deutsche Bank Open, a success which has lifted him into the top 15 of the money list and on to the fringes of Ryder Cup qualification.
Katsuyoshi Tomori
Japan
FEW Oriental golfers have made an impact on the Open, but one notable exception is this amiable 42-year-old Japanese professional who is taking a sabbatical from his native tour to play in Europe this year. In 1995, Tomori followed an impressive 10th place in the Scottish Open by sharing the half-way lead in the Open at St Andrews with John Daly, the eventual winner. Those performances were rewarded with a place in that year's World Match Play Championship. Tomori liked his taste of European golf so much that he then asked his two daughters, aged 10 and eight, for permission to challenge for a tour card last November. Not withstanding the culture shock of leaving Japan where he has won more than pounds 2m and is exempt for eight years, Tomori has adapted well to Europe and is currently in the top 40 on the money list.
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