By Michael Mayo
GolfWeb contributing editor

Mark O'Meara -- gone. Vijay Singh -- gone. They no longer occupy spots on the list that's both blessing and curse for golfers -- best player without a major.

To be included means you're good enough to be recognized as one of the world's elite. To be excluded means you've finally broken through when the spotlight shines harshest.

O'Meara and Singh removed themselves by winning Big Ones last year -- O'Meara at the Masters and Open Championship, Singh at the PGA Championship. Will any wannabe get so lucky at The Masters this year?

It isn't a surprise that Duval is on the top of the list. (AP)

Maybe. Five of the last eight Masters champions were first-time major winners: O'Meara, Tiger Woods (1997), Jose Maria Olazabal (1994), Fred Couples (1992) and Ian Woosnam (1991).

So how do the outsiders rank? Just to set things straight before heading into the 1999 Grand Slam, here's one man's Dirty Dozen, the top 12 worldwide players without majors.

1. David Duval -- When I was thinking about this list last week, I had Duval third. After all, he's only 27 and is only 0-for-17 in majors, 0-for-15 as a pro. But his victory at major-tough TPC-Sawgrass in The Players Championship last week, which vaulted him to No. 1 in the World Rankings, made it impossible to leave him out of the top spot. Because how can you not be the best player without a major when you're the best player in the world?

Since breaking through for his first PGA Tour win at the end of 1997, Duval has gone on a spree, winning 10 of 33 PGA Tour events he's played. He shot a final-round 59 to win the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. With $2.1 million already in the bank this year, he's on pace to earn $7 million. Ridiculous. Oh yeah, he was runner-up at last year's Masters, clipped at the wire by charging O'Meara after Duval held a three-shot lead with three to go. He's got the game for Augusta. Just one problem. Instead of firing a laser at the flag at Sawgrass' 17th, he should have dumped three in the water. Because nobody has won The Players and Masters in the same year. Duval might prove to be the exception to the rule.

2. Colin Montgomerie -- Monty, King of Scots has also been King of Europe for the better part of this decade, winning six straight European money titles. But money doesn't buy a major, where Montgomerie's string of futility keeps growing. Montgomerie is hard on himself, and to his credit he's not shrinking from the issue. He knows he's supposed to have a major by now. The problem is three of four are played in the States, and the other is the Open, which he wants too badly. Montgomerie, 35, is coming off his best finish at Augusta -- a tie for eighth last year after shooting 69-70 on the weekend.

3. Phil Mickelson -- With 13 tour wins, Mickelson has more than Duval but he's almost an afterthought in the wake of the Tiger-Duval show. Mickelson is only 28 and 0-for-26 in majors. But he's had more than enough chances to break through. He has contended in all three American majors, finishing third at the 1994 PGA, fourth at the 1995 U.S. Open and third at the 1996 Masters. But his performances have been disappointing the last two years, not breaking the top 10. Mickelson has geared his game around the majors this year, working on a less aggressive approach. Now he's going to wait for the other guy to make the mistake. Because he can't wait to finally bag a big one. "From now on they are the only tournaments that matter," Mickelson said.

4. John Cook -- He won a U.S. Amateur (1978), but those don't count. Since joining the tour in 1979, he's been a solid, steady player. Cook has won 10 times and amassed over $7 million in earnings. But he's 0-for-51 in majors. Cook's best chance came at the 1992 Open at Muirfield, where he was beaten by Nick Faldo after holding the late lead. He also has finished runner-up at the PGA, and has two top-5s in the U.S. Open. Cook, 41, has never contended at Augusta and hasn't finished better than 39th this decade.

5. Scott Hoch -- With more than $9 million in career earnings, he is ninth on the all-time PGA Tour money list. And he's the only one in the top 10 without a major. Hoch, 43, has won eight tour events but he's 0-for-50 in majors. He's been close to the green jacket a couple of times, and could have been there if not for a couple of missed putts.

6. Jeff Maggert -- He's a lot better player than a guy with just one regular PGA Tour win (1993 Disney), and his stock went up with his win at the Andersen Match Play. He has a game perfectly suited to a U.S. Open, where he's been top-10 four of the last five years. Maggert, 35, also has finished third, third and sixth at the PGA, fifth at the Open and seventh at the Masters. That's nine top-10s in 28 majors played. But he's also missed eight cuts. That's called major inconsistency.

7. Jesper Parnevik -- The Swedish comedian's son has got some serious game. Don't be put off by the funny hat, the hip-hugging bell-bottom pants and the volcanic sand diet. One of these days, he might break through. He has had three near-misses at the Open Championship. He also finished fifth at the 1996 PGA. Parnevik, 33, has only played 15 majors.

8. Jim Furyk -- Has been a money machine the last two seasons, but some question whether the man with the funky swing can hold up under major pressure to win. There's no question he can compete. In 14 major appearances, he has six top-six finishes. Maybe the Fluff factor will put him over the top. Furyk, 28, will use Mike Cowan as caddie at Augusta and possibly beyond.

9. Jumbo Ozaki -- His serious playing days are behind him, although Jumbo is still racking up the wins in his native Japan. Another three last year, boosting his career total to 108. Problem is, he's won just once outside Japan. That doesn't help the major cause. Ozaki, 51, has been considered an elite player for decades, but his game never translated into majors. Still has to make the list.

10. Lee Westwood -- This bright young Brit captured the New Orleans PGA Tour event before last year's Masters, and he racked up 13 top-10s worldwide in 1998. He's 25 and will only get better with experience.

11. David Frost -- This South African has a distinguished resume, including 10 PGA Tour wins and another 11 internationally. Will turn 40 later this year. Hasn't been a major factor, with only two top-10s (both at Augusta) and 13 missed cuts in 31 majors this decade.

12. Costantino Rocca -- Last seen inhaling Tiger's exhaust fumes in the final round of the 1997 Masters, where they played together. The popular Italian finished ninth at the 1998 Open Championship. Beaten in a playoff by John Daly at the 1995 Open at St. Andrews. Rocca is 42, and his winning days might be behind him.

Missed cut -- Billy Mayfair, John Huston, Frank Nobilo, Brad Faxon, Mark McCumber.

Editor's Note: Mike Mayo is a noted golf writer and sports columnist of South Florida's Sun-Sentinel.