Darren Clarke

Having gained Ryder Cup honours and his highest Order of Merit placing of fourth last season, the 29-year-old is now set for fresh objectives. An invitation to the US Masters means he challenges in all four "majors" this season while his European target will be to win further tournaments and top the merit list.

1997 Earnings: £537,409.

Padraig Harrington

Though he claims to be surprised at his success so far, the 26-year-old Dubliner is widely acknowledged as a player of enormous potential. Fifth in last year's British Open and ultimately eighth in the Order of Merit, he is now looking to the defence of the World Cup and greater success in the "majors."

1997 Earnings: £388,982.

Paul McGinley

An ardent believer in the work ethic, the quality of his Oki Pro-Am win should lead to bigger things this season. At 31, he claims to be a late developer but Order of Merit placings of 15th and 21st in the last two seasons suggest he has clearly arrived on the European scene. The senior half of World Cup winning duo.

1997 Earnings: £220,278.

Philip Walton

One of the country's most resolute competitors of recent decades, his true potential has been inhibited by short-game problems. After two victories in 1995, needs another win to re-establish the status gained through Ryder Cup exploits at Oak Hill. Will be 36 in March and arguably at the peak of his powers.

1997 Earnings: £102,624.

Ronan Rafferty

Gained the last of his seven European tournament wins in the Austrian Open of August 1993. Since then, he has produced erratic form though there were signs of a revival in a 60th Order of Merit placing at the end of last season. Had his 34th birthday last Tuesday and may need to reawaken his golfing desire.

1997 Earnings: £110,314.

Raymond Burns

Has shown only glimpses of the enormous potential from a sparkling amateur career. Indeed in three full seasons on tour, his best Order of Merit placing was 81st in 1996. Now 24, he has struggled to find a solid productive putting method, even with the broomhandle. Clearly in need of a boost in confidence.

1997 Earnings: £62,432.

Eamonn Darcy

About to embark on his 28th tournament season after finishing 100th in the Order of Merit at the end of last year. At 45, Darcy remains one of Europe's finest ball-strikers but his competitive potential has been limited by erratic putting. Can still be a serious challenger, however, if the blade obliges.

1997 Earnings: £61,551.

Des Smyth

Now exempted through his placing in the top 40 of the Career Money List, he retains an admirable appetite for the game. Since joining the tour in 1974, he had 10 seasons - from 1979 to 1988 - when he was always in the top 25 of the Order of Merit. Will be 45 next month and edging closer to the Seniors' Tour.

1997 Earnings: £47,820.

Francis Howley

A somewhat mature graduate of the Tour School in 1995 as a 26-year-old, he failed to retain his card in 1996. But the Rosses Point native is now back with the big boys after graduating for a second time. He displayed splendid consistency when shooting rounds of 71, 72, 71, 71 to finish 16th of the 43 graduates.

David Higgins

After surviving 1996 in 99th position in the Order of Merit, the Waterville player lost his card last season when he slipped to 157th. But he finished 24th in the Tour School and has toughened his mental approach to the game. Now, at 25, he possesses the talent to make a serious impact this season.

1997 Earnings: £21,252.

Cameron Clark

Born in Ballymena but raised in Austria and England, he is the son of former Button Boy, Ian Clark. After failing to come through the Tour School in 1996, the 23-year-old raised quite a few eyebrows by qualifying comfortably last November in 31st place. Won the Hippo Tour Championship in England last season.

Richard Coughlan

Through the unique distinction of having qualified on both sides of the Atlantic - he was 33rd in Europe - at his first attempt, the Birr player had the luxury of choice. He opted for the USPGA Tour but expects to make several appearances in Europe, including the Murphy's Irish Open and Smurfit European Open.

Christy O'Connor Jnr

The big day arrives for the Galway professional on August 19th - his 50th birthday. And in the meantime, as a preparation for the Seniors' Tour, he will attempt to remain competitive through the odd appearance on the regular tour. Without any exempt status, he will be depending on sponsors' invitations.

1997 Earnings: £21,184.