TOP BRITISH CONTENDERS
LEE WESTWOOD
THIRD place in both last year’s Open and USPGA, and second in the US Masters, Westwood is the nearly man of Majors golf. The chances of the world No3 finally breaking his duck, however, have been hampered by a calf injury which has forced him to pull out of the Irish Open in a fortnight.
IAN POULTER
A MAIDEN victory on the PGA Tour, in the WGC Match Play Championship, lifted Poulter to as high as fifth in the world rankings. Missed the cut last year but finished runner-up behind Padraig Harrington in 2008. Will no doubt dazzle the crowds with his outfits, but could this finally be his year?
GRAEME MCDOWELL
ENDED Europe’s 40-year wait for a US Open champion with a tremendous first Major success last month. That was on the links of Pebble Beach, now the Ulsterman has his sights on success by the sea a lot closer to home. Bang in form and full of confidence, hard to discount.
RORY MCILROY
YET to sample an Open Championship at St Andrews, the 21-year-old Northern Irishman’s ‘no fear’ approach may just suit the links at the Home of Golf. Earned his first PGA Tour victory at the Quail Hollow Championship last month and is never short of confidence or belief in his game.
JUSTIN ROSE
AT the peak of his powers right now, having added the AT&T National to his Memorial Tournament victory three weeks previous. Only qualified for the Open on the back of that victory, but now Rose is suddenly the man to beat. Shot to fame with a fourth-place Open finish as an amateur in 1998.