HOW THE AUSSIES AND LEADING CONTENDERS SHAPE UP FOR THE 2014 BRITISH OPEN:
ADAM SCOTT (Aus)
Age: 33 (turns 34 on Wednesday)
World ranking: 1
Worldwide wins: 23
Best in a major: Win (2013 Masters)
British Opens played: 14
Best British Open: 2nd (2012)
Odds: $15
Why he can win – He has finished second and tied third the last two years. Went straight into preparation mode after his best US Open finish (T9th) and will have added confidence from his world No.1 ranking this time. Had a top 10 at Hoylake in 2006 British Open.
Why he might not – In both the last two years Scott has had a chance on the back nine on Sunday and blew it. In 2012 it was an epic meltdown, with four late bogeys to squander a four-shot lead while last year his troubles came around the turn before being lost amid Phil Mickelson’s heroics.
JASON DAY (Aus)
Age: 26
World ranking: 6
Worldwide wins: 3
Best in a major: 2nd (2011 US Open), T2nd (2011 Masters), T2nd (2013 US Open)
British Opens played: 3
Best British Open: T30th (2011)
Odds: $29
Why he can win – Day continues to perform in the big events despite not having claimed a major yet. After a T4th finish in the US Open now has five top-four finishes in majors and seven top-10s from just 14 starts. Has learned how to win with a World Cup and World Golf Championship title in the last eight months.
Why he might not – Links golf has not proven to be Day’s forte in the past and he has yet to make any waves in this event. While he has made the cut all three times he hasn’t bettered a tie for 30th in 2011.
JOHN SENDEN (Aus)
Age: 43
World ranking: 54
Worldwide wins: 6
Best in a major: T4th (2007 PGA Championship)
British Opens played: 7
Best British Open: T34th (2012)
Odds: $126
Why he can win – Senden is like a fine wine getting better with age. Was in the final group at the Masters on Saturday and was a winner in Tampa this year. With his short game in a career-best form he could be a surprise packet.
Why he might not – While he has managed top-10 finishes at the other three majors Senden has not been able to push the buttons at the British Open. Has made four of seven cuts with his best result a T34th in 2012.
MATT JONES (Aus)
Age: 34
World ranking: 51
Worldwide wins: 1
Best in a major: T40th (2013 PGA Championship)
British Opens played: On debut
Odds: $126
Why he can win – Jones won earlier this year in Texas showing he is starting to reach the potential many have anticipated. A crisp ball striker and keen swing analyst, Jones has the ability to adapt to differing conditions on the fly.
Why he might not – His major championship experience is low and unremarkable. He’s never played in the British Open and therefore hasn’t experienced any of the one myriad quirks it can throw up. Has made just one cut in five major appearances.
MARC LEISHMAN (Aus)
Age: 30
World ranking: 60
Worldwide wins: 1
Best in a major: T4th (2013 Masters)
British Opens played: 3
Best British Open: T60th (2010)
Odds: $101
Why he can win: Has found a little bit of form in recent weeks, contending on Sunday several times before falling a little short. Is not afraid of the major championship limelight, leading the 2013 Masters after round one and contending all week.
Why he might not: As is the theme with a lot of the Aussies at Hoylake this year, Leishman has failed to perform in the British Open, unable to make a swift change from American style target golf. Was T60th on debut in 2010 but has missed the cut in the last two years.
BRETT RUMFORD (Aus)
Age: 37
World ranking: 466
Worldwide wins: 6
Best in a major: T16 (2006 British Open)
British Opens played: 3
Best British Open: T16th (2006)
Odds: $201
Why he can win: Plies his trade on the European Tour so much more suited to conditions than some of the other Aussies. Has only made the cut once in a major but it was at Hoylake in 2016 where he was tied 16th.
Why he might not: Form this year has been below average. Has just one top-10 finish on the European Tour and it came in early January.
RHEIN GIBSON (Aus)
Age: 29
World ranking: 444
Worldwide wins: 0
Best in a major: On debut
Odds: $501
Why he can win – Perhaps the only thing you can bank on here is the fact Gibson holds the world record for lowest round of golf having shot 55 with his mates in the USA. It sits proudly in the Guinness Book of Records.
Why he might not – Has never played a major, has just one European Tour event to his name and while he did finish tied fourth in the Australian Open to get here and T2nd earlier this year on the One Asia Tour is seriously lacking in pedigree on this stage.
BRYDEN MACPHERSON (Aus)
Age: 23
World ranking: 557
Worldwide wins: 0
Best in a major: CUT (2011 British Open, 2012 Masters)
British Opens played: 1
Best British Open: CUT (2011)
Odds: $251
Why he can win – Youngster from Melbourne became only the second Australian winner of the British Amateur Championship when he defeated Scotland’s Michael Stewart at Hillside in 2011, 57 years after Doug Bachli’s victory over America’s Bill Campbell at Muirfield in 1954. Maybe lightning can strike in the pro ranks.
Why he might not – Since turning professional a few years ago MacPherson has struggled to make a footprint in the game. One top five finish on PGA Tour China is all he has to lean on this year.
TIGER WOODS (USA)
Age: 38
World ranking: 5
Worldwide wins: 91
Best result in a major: 14 Wins (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 Masters; 2000, 2002, 2008 US Open; 2000, 2005, 2006 British Opens; 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007 PGA Championship)
British Opens played: 17
Best British Open: Win (2000, 2005, 2006)
Odds: $13
Why he can win: Has 14 major titles under his belt, by far the best player of his generation, and won at Hoylake in 2006 the last time it held the Open.
Why he might not: Coming off back surgery, is getting older and the strength of fields are much deeper. No longer the mental threat to others he once was. Hasn’t won a major in over six years.
RORY MCILROY (NIR)
Age: 25
World ranking: 7
Worldwide wins: 12
Best result in a major: 2 Wins (2011 US Open, 2012 PGA Championship)
British Opens played: 6
Best British Open: T3rd (2010)
Odds: $12
Why he can win: McIlroy is pure talent and on his day can blow away the field as evidenced by his two major wins, both by eight shots. After winning the Australian Open late last year he has added the European Tour’s flagship PGA Championship title this year and should be one to watch.
Why he might not: Since 2010, when he shot out of the blocks with a 63 only to back it up with an 80, McIlroy hasn’t provided his A game at the British Open. In fact since that T3rd he has gone progressively backwards with a T25th, T60th and missed cut.
SERGIO GARCIA (Esp)
Age: 34
World ranking: 9
Worldwide wins: 25
Best in a major: 2nd (1999 PGA Championship, 2007 British Open); T2nd (2008 PGA Championship)
British Opens played: 17
Best British Open: 2nd (2007)
Odds: $26
Why he can win: Garcia seems to be flirting with a major championship breakthrough – but then again he’s been doing that since he burst on the scene as a child prodigy. Has 60 consecutive starts in majors and has 17 top-10s in those. He won in the Middle East earlier this year and has two recent third placings and a tie for second on the US tour.
Why he might not: While he has seven top-10 results in the British Open only one of those has come in the last six years. Garcia has always battled the mental demons when in contention at majors and will have to prove he’s conquered them to salute.
HENRIK STENSON (Swe)
Age: 38
World ranking: 2
Worldwide wins: 15
Best in a major: 2nd (2013 British Open)
British Opens played: 9
Best British Open: 2nd (2013)
Odds: $17
Why he can win: In his last six major starts Stenson has been inside the top 21 with a runner-up, a third and a tie for 4th at the recent US Open making it seven top-six finishes in the big ones in his career. His runner-up finish came at last year’s British Open and he’s no stranger to big success having won the US FedEx Cup and the European Race to Dubai last year.
Why he might not: Is carrying the burden of expectation to become the first Swedish major winner and hasn’t been able to close out in the big ones when he’s had a handful of good chances.
PHIL MICKELSON (USA)
Age: 44
World ranking: 13
Worldwide wins: 46
Best in a major: 5 Wins (Masters 2004, 2006, 2010; PGA Championship 2005; British Open 2013)
British Opens played: 20
Best British Open: Won (2013)
Odds: $21
Why he can win: He’s the defending champion, he’s playing on house money and just loves trying to invent new ways to play shots around golf courses. In 87 major starts has 35 top-10s, with five wins.
Why he might not: Having never really expected to be able to win at links golf on the big stage there might be a bit of championship hangover for Mickelson.
JUSTIN ROSE (Eng)
Age: 33
World ranking: 8
Worldwide wins: 12
Best in a major: Win (2013 US Open)
British Opens played: 12
Best British Open: T4th (1998)
Odds: $21
Why he can win – Comes in fresh from a win on the US PGA Tour at Congressional Country Club and makes no secret he’d love to win his home major. Confidence is high and is a proven major winner.
He has famously struggled in the Open since his breakout teenage debut in 1998 as an amateur. Has missed three of the last four cuts here and the other resulted in a ho-hum T44th.
BUBBA WATSON (USA)
Age: 35
World ranking: 3
Worldwide wins: 6
Best result in a major: 2 Wins (Masters 2012, 2014)
British Opens played: 5
Best British Open: T23rd (2012)
Odds: $41
Why he can win – Big-hitting Bubba is one of the most creative out there quite simply because he can shape the ball unlike anyone else and pound it a mile.
Why he might not – There might just be a little too much trouble lurking for Watson as he tries to navigate around the course that needs finesse. Trying to reign in his power has always been a problem. Has yet to break into the top 20 at the British Open.
MATT KUCHAR (USA)
Age: 36
World ranking: 4
Worldwide wins: 8
Best result in a major: T3rd (2012 Masters)
British Opens played: 9
Best British Open: T9th (2012)
Odds: $34
Why he can win – Is in consistent form with a victory at Hilton Head the highlight. Has nine top-10s in his 17 events this US tour season and was a respectable T12th at the US Open. A win and four other top-seven finishes in his last 10 starts. Inside the top 15 at the last two British Opens.
Why he might not – While the last two renditions of the British Open have seen the American inside the top 15 he has six missed cuts in his nine starts.
JORDAN SPIETH (USA)
Age: 20
World ranking: 10
Worldwide wins: 1
Best result in a major: T2nd (2014 Masters)
British Opens played: 1
Best British Open: T44th (2013)
Odds: $29
Why he can win – America’s young star is habitually in contention. Battled Bubba Watson at the Masters, holding the lead early in the final round before letting it slip. A raw talent Spieth doesn’t seem to let occasion phase him and did well on debut last year despite a late invite after winning the week before.
Why he might not – While he has certainly been in the mix at some stage in just about every tournament he’s entered he’s also shown a habit of falling away in final rounds. Swing still a little loose under the ultimate pressure, showing his inexperience and extreme youth.
MARTIN KAYMER (GER)
Age: 29
World ranking: 12
Worldwide wins: 15
Best result in a major: 2 Wins (2010 PGA Championship, 2014 US Open)
British Opens played: 6
Best British Open: T7th (2010)
Odds: $19
Why he can win – Winner of the last major at the US Open and also the lucrative Players Championship earlier this year, Kaymer is the form player in big tournaments. Demolished the US Open field for his second major win.
Why he might not – The last man to win back-to-back majors was Padraig Harrington in 2008 and the last man to win the US Open-British Open double the same season was Tiger Woods in 2000. The list of players to do this double in the same year is small and only includes legends Tom Watson (1982), Lee Trevino (1971), Ben Hogan (1953), Gene Sarazen (1932) and Bobby Jones (1926, 1930).
