There will be 25 PGA club professionals...

There will be 25 PGA club professionals in the field for the 78th PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club near Louisville, Ky., but since a club pro hasn’t won any of the previous 77, better look elsewhere for the probable winner.

Valhalla features tiered, undulating greens with plenty of bunkers, generous fairways and a tendency to benefit players who hit high fades off the tee.

Here are some of the players who could excel at Valhalla:

THE FAVORITES

* Fred Couples: He played well at the British Open and was in contention until he shot 41 on the back nine Sunday. The course sets up well for him if he doesn’t tire and he makes some putts.

* Ernie Els: Another big hitter who doesn’t need roll for distance. He could have won the PGA last year at Riviera, and he contended at the British Open at Royal Lytham.

* Nick Faldo: Look out for him if he is close on the last day. He is as good as anyone in the game with his irons, but can he putt well enough when it counts? He didn’t on the last day of the British Open.

* Tom Lehman: The way he plays in majors, any course sets up well for him. The last player to win two majors in one year was Nick Price in 1994, so it’s certainly not beyond the realm of possibility for the British Open champion.

HUNGRY AND DANGEROUS

* Phil Mickelson: We’ve been waiting. Isn’t it about time?

* Greg Norman: It’s hard to believe (or maybe it isn’t), but his only major titles have been the British Open in 1986 and 1993. Maybe it’s time for him to expand.

* Corey Pavin: He has been working on his carry distance, which is a weakness, but few are as good at scoring around the greens.

* Davis Love III: After being in contention at the U.S. Open until the last hole, he has to be ready to win his first major.

THEY HAVE A SHOT

* John Daly: It’s hard not to mention Daly as a contender, even if he has been playing generally lousy. Anyone who can hit the ball as far as he does has a chance if he can hit it semi-straight and convince some putts to go in.

* Vijay Singh: Like Love, one of the best players never to have won a major. He will need some magic from his long-handled putter.

* Steve Elkington: He has to be included because he is the defending champion, even though he missed the cut at the British Open.

* Mark O’Meara: The leading money winner on the PGA Tour, he is consistent but without a major title.

* Frank Nobilo: Another player who always seems on the verge of something big. Last year, an Australian won the PGA, so maybe the hemispheric conditions will rub off for someone from New Zealand.

* Steve Jones: U.S. Open champion missed the cut at the British Open and got ready for the PGA by going on a fishing trip, where a hook was a good thing to have.

AND DON’T FORGET . . .

* Colin Montgomerie: The perennial bridesmaid, maybe he can make the step up this time.

* Justin Leonard: Time to go with a longshot.

* David Duval: See Justin Leonard.

* Steve Stricker: Ditto.

* John Cook: A two-time winner this year after going four years since his last one.

* Jim Gallagher Jr.: His father is a club pro and Gallagher is well suited for course and tournament.