Britain Expects: Player Guide
Ahead of this year's Open Championship at Birkdale, we assess the chance of every British golfer that has so far qualified for the event.
Padraig Harrington finally broke the eight-year Open drought drought at Carnoustie in 2007 but what are the chances of a fellow home-grown winner lifting the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale? We assess the chances of every Brit teeing it up at the 138th Open Championship.
PAUL CASEY - 40-1
Casey is still a relatively young player with huge potential. He nearly showed what a huge talent he is when he went into the final round of the Masters in real contention for the title, but he fell away with a final round of 79. He has an extremely good short game that could prove vital at Royal Birkdale.
LAST 5 OPENS: 27/71/MC/20/MC
VERDICT: Casey is now ranked in the top 50 in the world and with these odds he may be worth a shot.
LUKE DONALD 40-1
Based in America, which explains his lack of form in the Open, he is far more suited to the lush American courses where he has a better record. He has had a very patchy 2008 failing to make the cut at the Masters and withdrawing from the US Open due to injury.
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LAST 5 OPENS: 63/35/52/MC/MC
VERDICT: If Donald can get in the groove this year, he will duly deliver, but his recent form suggests he will struggle to compete.
NICK DOUGHERTY 100-1
He is a protégé of Nick Faldo and had a very good amateur career with many tournament wins. His 7th place finish at last year s US Open elevated the expectation of the public, but no other outstanding results since, suggest the young English talent has not fully made the transition from amateur to professional.
LAST 5 OPENS: 42/MC/DNP/DNP/DNP
VERDICT: He is obviously highly talented and has a huge future with big things expected of him. However, this year may be a little early for him to shine.
RICHARD FINCH 150-1
Ranked 140 on OWGR, he experienced the joy of gaining his maiden European Tour Title with victory at the Michael Hill New Zealand Open. He was English amateur champion in 2002 before turning professional the following year. He was also recently the winner of the Irish Open.
LAST 5 OPENS: DNP
VERDICT: In his maiden Major Championship, his principal goal has to be making it to the weekend.
DAVID HOWELL 125-1
After a stunning 2006 when he won the PGA BMW Championship and the HSBC Champions Tournament, Howeller has endured a horror story of bad injuries and poor form. He has looked much better of late, narrowly missing out on the Portuguese Open earlier this year.
LAST 5 OPENS: 53/MC/DNP/MC/MC
VERDICT: After missing the cut in three of his last five Opens Howeller needs to ensure he makes the cut and then goes from there.
PAUL LAWRIE CHECK
Lawrie is playing in his 11th consecutive Open. After having won the Open in 1999, the Scot has missed the cut five times since. He has slipped to 252 on the OWGR.
LAST 5 OPENS: MC/MC/52/MC/MC
VERDICT: His recent record is not good, although he has always been a true links player. He could surprise with a decent showing but don t bet on it.
SANDY LYLE CHECK
With his only victory in this tournament over 20 years ago the popular Scot has just started competing on the Seniors Tour. He was a surprise one-time leader at the Masters this year but fell away at the weekend.
LAST 5 OPENS: 65/MC/32/73/MC
VERDICT: It s no more than a pleasant stroll down memory lane for both Sandy and the crowd.
GRAEME McDOWELL 66/1
McDowell has had a great season so far and is currently in line for a Ryder Cup spot. His best Open finish is a very creditable tied 11th in 2005, and having grown up at Royal Portrush, he knows his way round a links layout.
LAST 5 OPENS: MC/61/11/MC/DNP
VERDICT: Strong pedigree for Open success and hasn t been shy about his burning ambition to be in the Ryder Cup team in September. Expect a good showing.
DAMIAN McGRANE CHECK
McGrane competes in his maiden Major championship at Birkdale, and at the age of 37 will be hoping to make his mark. He has been in great form this season, with a win, a runners-up spot and even a final-day pairing with Tiger Woods at the Dubai Desert Classic.
LAST 5 OPENS: DNP
VERDICT: First port of call has to be to be around for the weekend, anything else would be a major bonus.
DOUGLAS McGUIGAN 1000/1
Scot McGuigan qualified for the Open through African qualifying where he plays most of his golf. He has played in The Open twice before, and missed the cut on both occasions.
LAST 5 OPENS: MC/MC/DNP/DNP/DNP
VERDICT: Third-time lucky in his quest to play all four days of an Open Championship?
COLIN MONTGOMERIE 80/1
How much would Monty give up for just one Major Championship victory? Despite this being unlikely these days, he is desperately fighting to impress Nick Faldo and make the Ryder Cup team. He hasn t been in great form so far this season though
LAST 5 OPENS: MC/MC/2/25/WD
VERDICT: He may look good value at these odds and you never know in golf, but it would be one hell of a surprise.
IAN POULTER 66/1
Has played some solid golf this season without quite doing anything extraordinary. He also lost some friends with his display at Torrey Pines this year, where he walked off the course before giving an explanation later. He has the talent though to do something.
LAST 5 OPENS: 27/MC/11/25/46
VERDICT: Poulter has a solid record at the Open, and has been threatening to make a breakthrough and really compete in a Major for several years. Maybe this will be his year, and at these odds, he may be worth a punt.
JUSTIN ROSE 18/1
Rose first rose to prominence with his sensational tied 4th at Birkdale in 1998, while still an amateur and he must relish a return. Apart from Tiger, he has been one of the most consistent Major performers in the last two years and must win one soon. How perfect would it be 10 years on back at Birkdale.
LAST 5 OPENS: 12/DNP/DNP/DNP/MC
VERDICT: Rose goes into the tournament as one of the favourites and quite right too, but can he stand up to the pressure.
GRAEME STORM 125/1
In great recent form he was in the running right until the end of the BMW International Open. He has had a solid couple of years and if his putter is hot he could well surprise a few people. Not a bad outside bet.
LAST 5 OPENS: MC/DNP/78/DNP/DNP
VERDICT: Birkdale is a course that may suit his game, particularly as he grew up not too far away. If he can hold himself together, he might be worth a few pounds.
LEE WESTWOOD 16/1
Westwood s healthier attitude to life has finally looked like bringing him the Major success he surely deserves. His third-place finish at the US Open and his climb to 17th in the world rankings suggests he is a real contender.
LAST 5 OPENS: 35/31/MC/4/MC
VERDICT: The bookies rate Westwood as one of the favourites, and the way he s been playing this year, the Claret Jug could be his.
OLIVER WILSON 80/1
A great debut performance in the US Open where he finished tied 36th suggests that Wilson can live at the very top table. He has had a fabulous season, although would have liked to have turned one of his four runners-up finishes into a victory.
LAST 5 OPENS: MC/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP
VERDICT: Missed the cut at Carnoustie but should do better this time around. Will be hoping for a top-20 finish and it shouldn t be out of the question.