The Open: The main contenders for the Claret Jug

G-Mac is playing well again and having grown up on the famed links course of Royal Portrush, Royal Lytham and St Annes should not prove that difficult for him. He will also be buoyed by the fact that he fought hard and almost won the US Open at The Olympic Club earlier this year, missing out by a shot to Webb Simpson. The 32-year-old has only missed two cuts on the PGA Tour this year and his accurate driving and soild iron play look suited for a course he first played as an amateur back in 1999.

LEE WESTWOOD (ENG) – World No3

Without doubt, the most consistent player in Major championships over the past three years. Has been knocking on the door so many times, you get the feeling that it might just open up for him this year. And he remains one of the finest all-weather players in the world. Missed the cut last year despite hitting the most number of greens in regulation on the first two days. At 39 he is the oldest of the five favourites and despite the inevitable focus on him this weekend, his experience will allow him to relax.

LUKE DONALD (ENG) – World No1
There will always be a major question mark against Donald until he wins… a Major. But on a course littered with 206 bunkers, this could be his chance though, given that he is one of the best sand trap players in the world. He has been top of the world rankings for most of the past year and achieved an unprecedented double of European and US money list titles last season. His best Open finish was fifth at Turnberry in 2009 and he has come third in both the Masters and USPGA.

RORY MCILROY (NIR) – World No2
All’s not well with the poster boy of golf, and his once invincible swing seems to be faltering at key moments. A recent spate of missed cuts – at the BMW PGA Championship, the Players Championship and the US Open – is not going to help his case much. But there is no denying the talent of McIlroy – the youngest winner of US Open since 1923 and that too by a record margin of eight shots. He reached world No1 in March, but has lost it to Donald since. He could snatch back that honour with a second Major win this week. Has five top ten finishes in just nine starts on the PGA Tour which implies his game has not completely deserted him.

TIGER WOODS (USA) – World No4
Three wins in his last seven starts is a good enough indication that Woods is almost near his best again. And almost there for Woods is probably good enough to beat the rest of the field. Given that he feels he is able to shape the shots the way he wants, he is the favourite to add to his tally of 14 Majors. But then there was the missed cut in his last start at The Greensbrier Classic, and the slip-up in the US Open, where he looked like doing nothing wrong the first two days. Let’s see which Woods shows up at Royal Lytham this week but at 36, all he wants to win now are Majors.

And as for the darkhorses who may could just emerge from the pack to taste glory…

PADRAIG HARRINGTON (IRE) – World No59
The twice Open champion is showing encouraging signs of returning to form. He was fourth in the US Open and eighth at the Masters.

ERNIE ELS (RSA) – World No40
Another giant of the game slowly rediscovering his touch. The Big Easy has five top-10 finishes in his last 10 starts, including ninth at the US Open.

JEEV MILKHA SINGH (IND) – World No87
Momentum is a wonderful thing in golf and the self-confessed lover of links golf has it with him after winning last week’s Scottish Open.

DUSTIN JOHNSON (USA) – World No17
Tied second at the Open last year, the stylish American has the game to go one step better. Won the St Jude Classic in his second start after two-month injury layoff.

PAUL LAWRIE (SCO) – World No31
Known forever for his 1999 win, is the comeback man of European golf. He is playing brilliantly and expect to see the best of him this week.

 

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