THE DIGEST: SKIN SHOW
They Are Coming!

The lineup is very impressive. World number one Vijay Singh, British Open champion Todd Hamilton, and two young stars Justin Rose and Daniel Chopra. And these golfers are going to do battle right here in India.

The second edition of the BILT Skins will be held at the DLF Golf and Country Club, Gurgaon, on November 13 and 14 and it promises to be the best golfing show put together in the country so far. A Pro-Am will be held on the first day with select invitees of the three sponsors-BILT, DLF and AIS. The star golfers will conduct golf clinics followed by the main event on the second day. This will be the second time Vijay will feature in the BILT Skins. He had played with Jyoti Randhawa, Harmeet Kahlon and Kapil Dev in 2002. "I like this format since I'm fairly aggressive and tend to make many birdies. It's going to be a lot of fun playing with these guys," says Chopra in anticipation.

Vijay Singh

Vijay Singh

HEIGHT: 6 feet 2
WEIGHT: 198 pounds
BIRTHDATE: February 22, 1963
BIRTHPLACE: Lautoka, Fiji
RESIDENCE: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
FAMILY: Wife, Ardena; Qass (19/6/1990)
SPECIAL INTERESTS: Snooker, cricket, rugby, soccer
TURNED PROFESSIONAL: 1982

PGA Tour Victories (22): 1993: Buick Classic. 1995: Phoenix Open, Buick Classic. 1997: Memorial Tournament, Buick Open. 1998: PGA Championship, Sprint International. 1999: Honda Classic. 2000: Masters Tournament. 2002: Shell Houston Open, The Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola. 2003: Phoenix Open, EDS Byron Nelson Championship, John Deere Classic, FUNAI Classic at the Walt Disney World Resort. 2004: AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Shell Houston Open, HP Classic of New Orleans, Buick Open, PGA Championship, Deutsche Bank Championship, Bell Canadian Open.

International Victories (22): 1984: Malaysian PGA Championship [Asia]. 1988: Nigerian Open [Africa], Swedish PGA. 1989: Volvo Open di Firenze [Europe], Ivory Coast Open [Africa], Nigerian Open [Africa], Zimbabwe Open [South Africa]. 1990: El Bosque Open [Europe]. 1991: King Hassan Trophy [Morocco]. 1992: Turespana Masters Open de Andalucia [Europe], Malaysian Open [Asia], Volvo German Open [Europe]. 1993: Bells Cup [South Africa]. 1994: Scandinavian Masters [Europe], Trophee Lancome [Europe]. 1995: Passport Open [Asia], 1997: South African Open [South Africa], Toyota World Match Play Championship [Europe], 2000: Johnnie Walker Taiwan Open. 2001: Carlsberg Malaysian Open, Caltex Singapore Masters. 2003: TELLUS Canadian Skins Game.

Current Year PGA Tour Money and Position: $8,699,566 (1)

Of Indian ancestry, Fiji's only world-class golfer. Learned the game from his father, an airplane technician who also taught golf. Admired Tom Weiskopf while growing up and used Weiskopf's swing as early model for his own. Noted for his rigorous practice routine. Once held a club professional position in Borneo. Teamed with son Qass in Office Depot Father-Son event in December 2003.

Todd Hamilton

Todd Hamilton

HEIGHT: 6 feet 1
WEIGHT: 195 pounds
BIRTHDATE: October 18, 1965
BIRTHPLACE: Galesburg, Illinois
RESIDENCE: McKinney, Texas
FAMILY: Wife: Jacque; Tyler (2/4/1998), Kaylee (20/6/2000), Drake (18/4/2003)
SPECIAL INTERESTS: Crossword puzzles, hockey
TURNED PROFESSIONAL: 1987

PGA Tour Victories (2): 2004: The Honda Classic, British Open Championship.

International Victories (14): 1992: Singapore Rolex Masters [Asian], Maekyung Open [Asian], Maruman Open [Japan]. 1993: Acom International [Japan]. 1994: PGA Philanthropy [Japan], Japan PGA Matchplay Championship [Japan], Thailand Open [Asian]. 1995: Token Corporation Cup [Japan]. 1996: Japan PGA Philanthropy [Japan]. 1998: Gene Sarazen Jun Classic [Japan]. 2003: Fujisankei Classic [Japan], Diamond Cup [Japan], Gateway to the Mizuno Open [Japan], Japan PGA Matchplay Championship [Japan].

Current Year PGA Tour Money and Position: $2,760,634 (10)

Biggest thrill in golf was winning his first tournament. Lists Jack Nicklaus as his hero. Credits his father for giving him his start in golf. His wife, Jaque, was his high school sweetheart. Almost quit golf prior to winning the 1992 Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Justin Rose

Justin Rose

HEIGHT: 6 feet 2
WEIGHT: 178 pounds
BIRTHDATE: July 30, 1980
BIRTHPLACE: Johannesburg, South Africa
RESIDENCE: Fleet, Hampshire, England
FAMILY: Single
SPECIAL INTERESTS: Tennis, soccer, cricket, cars, music
TURNED PROFESSIONAL: 1998

International Victories (4): 2002: Dunhill Championship [Europe], Chunichi Crowns [Japan], Nashau Masters [South Africa], Victor Chandler British Masters [Europe]

Current Year PGA Tour Money and Position: $1,152,542 (56)

Moved to England at age 5, when he started to play seriously at Hartley Wintney GC near his Hampshire home. First swung a club in back garden at 11 months when dad, Ken, handed him a plastic club. Broke 70 for the first time at age 11. Handicap of plus-3 at age 14 and played in 1997 Walker Cup at only 17. Co-coached by his father Ken and David Leadbetter, with whom he began working in 1998, the year he holed out at the 72nd hole to T4 in the British Open at Royal Birkdale and win low amateur honors. Turned professional the next day.

Daniel Chopra

Daniel Chopra

HEIGHT: 6 feet
WEIGHT: 180 pounds
BIRTHDATE: December 23, 1973
BIRTHPLACE: Stockholm, Sweden
RESIDENCE: Perth, Australia
FAMILY: Wife, Samantha
SPECIAL INTERESTS: Television, reading, films, snooker
TURNED PROFESSIONAL: 1992

Best PGA Tour Finish: T4 at 2004 Deutsche Bank Championship.

International Victories (1): 2001 Mercuries Masters [Asia].

Current Year PGA Tour Money and Position: $722,721 (93)

Born to a Swedish mother and Indian father. Joined the PGA TOUR as a rookie in 2004 after sixth-place finish at 2003 PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament. Won the 2002 Mercuries Masters on the Asian Tour at the Taiwan G&CC after gaining entry on a sponsors invitation. Member of the European Tour from 1996 to 2000. Moved to India at age 7 and was raised by grandparents. Won the All-India Junior Championship at age of 14. Also won the Doug Sanders World Junior title. First person to hit a golf ball off the Great Wall of China in 1995. Loves Indian food.

October 2004