As The Open gets underway at Hoylake, the world's golfing fraternity will be watching with keen interest.
Such is the nature of the Championships that the entire field will go into the tournament knowing that if they get their game together then they could walk away with their name etched into the history of the sport.
Here, we look at five favourites who will be holding lofty expectations at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club and five dark horses who could be in with a shout of lifting the Claret Jug come the end of the weekend.
The favourites
Justin Rose (ENG)
Henrik Stenson (SWE)
World ranking: 2
Last five events: T2-T4-5-T7-34
Wins this year: None
Best Open finish: Second in 2013
Top-10s in The Open: 3
The rock-solid Stenson was denied his first ever major win last year at Muirfield by Phil Mickelson’s last-round heroics. Fourth at this year’s US Open, the 38-year-old is heading to The Open in great form, having finished inside the top-10 in his last four starts. Stenson hits plenty of greens in regulation, which is always a good thing in any tournament.
Adam Scott (AUS)
World ranking: 1
Last five events: T9-T4-1-T38-T14
Wins this year: Crowne Plaza Invitational
Best Open finish: Second in 2012
Top-10s in The Open: 3
The 33-year-old is playing a limited schedule these days and loving it. Has finished inside the top-three in his last two visits to The Open. Royal Liverpool, where he finished T-8 in 2006 for his first-ever top-10 finish in The Open, should set up well for Scott's strong iron play and he will be favourite to make up for the heartbreak two years ago.
Martin Kaymer (GER)
World ranking: 12
Last five events: T12-MC-1-T12-T29
Wins this year: The Players Championship, US Open
Best Open finish: T7 in 2010
Top-10s in The Open: 1
The 29-year-old German is the hottest player in men’s golf right now, having won the last two blue riband events in the game – the Players Championship and the US Open. Doesn’t have the best record in the Open – just one top-10 in six attempts – but that stat should change this week. His mental strength is a terrific asset in big events.
Tiger Woods (USA)
World ranking: 7
Last five events: MC-T25-WD-T41-T80
Wins this year: None
Best Open finish: Winner in 2000, 2005, 2006
Top-10s in The Open: 9
Champion when the Open was last held in Royal Liverpool in 2006, Woods is playing only his second event after a three-month layoff following back surgery just before the Masters. There may be a question mark over his form and health, but never about his class. If his short game is on song, Woods will surely be up there on the leaderboard.
The dark horses
Zach Johnson (USA)
World ranking: 14
Last five events: 2-MC-T40-T53-73
Wins this year: Hyundai ToC
Best Open finish: T6 in 2013
Top-10s in The Open: 2
Johnson had a great start to 2014, but cooled off before regaining his form last week at the John Deere Classic. His accuracy off the tee and strong short game always comes in handy at The Open.
Jordan Spieth (USA)
World ranking: 10
Last five events: T11-T17-T19-T14-T37
Wins this year: None
Best Open finish: T44 in 2013
Top-10s in The Open: None
The 20-year-old has been a sensation in world golf these last couple of years and has been so consistent in the big events. It is just a matter of time until his major breakthrough.
Sergio Garcia (ESP)
World ranking: 9
Last five events: T12-T2-T35-WD-T38
Wins this year: Qatar Masters
Best Open finish: Second in 2007
Top-10s in The Open: 7
The Spaniard had a fantastic start to the season, but has struggled a bit with injury lately. But his imaginative shot-making and superb ball-striking gives him a great chance at The Open.
Angel Cabrera (ARG)
World ranking: 55
Last five events: 1-T24-T11-MC-MC
Wins this year: The Greenbrier Classic
Best Open finish: T4 in 1999
Top-10s in The Open: 2
The last three Opens have been won by 40-plus players, which makes 44-year-old Cabrera’s chances bright. In winning Greenbrier, he put up an exhibition of all-round brilliance.
Hideki Matsuyama (JPN)
World ranking: 15
Last five events: T17-T35-1-T10-T23
Wins this year: The Memorial
Best Open finish: T6 in 2013
Top-10s in The Open: 1
The 22-year-old has been a revelation and has proved his class by winning The Memorial earlier this year. Showed no signs of nerves in a top-10 finish in his maiden Open last year.
