Few would dispute that 1999 was the Year of the Tiger with young Master Woods dominating golf in a manner not witnessed since the halcyon days of Jack Nicklaus.
So what we can we expect in 2000? It's early days yet, but the the Year of the Dragon is already shaping up to be a most memorable one for a handful of rising amateur stars.
Following his remarkable exploits Down Under, it has not taken long for Aaron Baddeley to be burdened with the moniker of 'the next Greg Norman'.
Despite the Australian's intention to maintain his amateur status, his box-office drawing power is such that invitations to professional tournaments have been pouring through his letter box.
His progress will be followed avidly in the coming months, as will the performances of a couple of Asian teenagers, Kim Sung-yoon and Prom Meesawat.
Unlike Baddeley, 17-year-old Kim has yet to win a pro event. But in reaching the final of the 1999 US Amateur Championship at Pebble Beach, Kim catapulted himself into the consciousness of the American public. He came within one victory of writing his name into the record books as the youngest winner of the event - an honour that remains with Tiger Woods - and also the first non-North American champion since 1911.
Although the burly Korean was soundly defeated in the 36-hole matchplay final, that disappointment was softened by having won a place at Augusta National where he will, inevitably, be compared with Baddeley.
