The 2003 Masters champion continued his winning ways in 2004 by defending his title at the Nissan (Los Angeles) Open at famed Riviera Country Club. Mike Weir had a good year in the majors with a tie for fourth in the U.S. Open and ninth at the British Open. He suffered a heart-breaking playoff loss to Vijay Singh at his native Canadian Open and a year-end fourth at the Tour Championship put him into eighth place in the world rankings at the end of last year.

With seven U.S. victories since 1999, most of them in highly prestigious events, Mike Weir has earned a place among the top-10 favorites in any tournament, especially one in which he was victorious just two years ago.

NEXT » Ones to Watch: Tiger Woods

ONES TO WATCH  • Ernie Els  • Sergio Garcia  • Retief Goosen  • Padraig Harrington  • Davis Love III  • Phil Mickelson  • Adam Scott  • Vijay Singh  • Mike Weir  • Tiger Woods

DARK HORSES  • Darren Clarke  • Fred Couples  • John Daly  • Chris DiMarco  • Todd Hamilton  • Charles Howell III