Players S-Z
Players G-L / Players M-R / Players S-Z
Note: Odds offered by SkyBet are subject to fluctuation
RORY SABBATINI 80/1
This controversial character is in good form and currently ranked 13th in the world. He won the Crowne Plaza Invitational, finished tied for second at the Masters and has recorded a string of other top 10s on the PGA Tour in 2007. He won the World Cup in 2003 alongside fellow South African Trevor Immelman, proving he can cope on the bigger occasions ? but he has shown little sign of any links pedigree.
LAST 5 OPENS 26/MC/66/53/DNP
VERDICT: It?s doubtful that Sabbatini's form will be replicated on the links.
ACHI SATO 2000/1
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Aged 36, Sato is still looking for his maiden Japanese Tour title. So far this year he has missed five cuts in nine tournaments. Currently in 52 on the moneylist, making the field for the Open was a major achievement.
LAST 5 OPENS: NA
VERDICT: Don?t expect much from Sato ? he?s unproven even at Japanese Tour level.
CHARL SCHWARTZEL 150/1
The South African finished tied for 22nd at Royal Liverpool last year and comes into this year?s Championship in a rich vein of form that has seen him bag one win (Spanish Open) and one second-place result (Alfred Dunhill Championship). Currently 14th on the European Tour Order of Merit, he is an accurate player from tee to green and doesn?t want for distance either, averaging over 290 yards from the tee.
LAST 5 OPENS 22/MC/DNP/MC/DNP
VERDICT: His game will suit Carnoustie and he could well build on last year?s result.
ADAM SCOTT 33/1
The 27-year-old Australian is currently ranked number four in the world and is widely predicted to be a future multiple Major winner. He already has 12 victories worldwide to his name, including the ?Fifth Major? at Sawgrass, but has yet to produce his very best in Major championships. He did finish eighth in the Open and third in the USPGA last year though and Carnoustie could reward his long, straight driving.
LAST 5 OPENS 8/34/42/MC/47
VERDICT: Increasingly one of the main contenders, it would be no surprise to see Scott break his Majors duck.
David Shacklady 1,500/1
David Shacklady from Mossock Hall in Lancashire shot a course record 62 to finish in a tie for the lead at Montrose to book his place in the field. He played in the Open at Birkdale in ?98 but failed to make the cut.
Last 5 Opens: N/A
Verdict: The experienced Shacklady showed his class at LFQ and will have his sights set on making the cut
PAUL SHEEHAN 500/1
The Australian qualified for the PGA Tour last year but missed the cut six times in succession at the start of 2007 before tying for 64th at the Buick Open. Played in the Open in 2004 but missed the cut after shooting 75,72. He has qualified for Carnoustie courtesy of his victory in last year?s Japan Open.
LAST 5 OPENS DNP/DNP/MC/DNP/DNP
VERDICT: Sheehan is an unknown quantity but must be pretty useful - he bagged a PGA Tour card during his rookie Nationwide Tour season.
JOHN SENDEN 250/1
PGA Tour player from Australia qualified through IFQ in America. A steady golfer has made a high percentage of cuts this season, is yet to convert those into a win this year however. Made the cut in last years Open and finished 35th - his best to date.
LAST 5 OPENS: 35/MC/47/WD/28
VERDICT: Recent form is promising in the majors and will want to improve on an average Open record.
JEEV MILKHA SINGH 175/1
Last year was the Indian star?s best yet on the European Tour, culminating in a superb victory at the Volvo Masters. He has been solid rather than spectacular during 2007, recording nine top-30 finishes to lie 28th on the Order of Merit as this list was compiled. Has the potential to do well at his first ever Open.
LAST 5 OPENS N/A
VERDICT: A reliable player who will probably make the cut.
VIJAY SINGH 25/1
The last player to overhaul Tiger Woods as world number one is now down to number six. The Fijian has three Major championships among an impressive 53 worldwide wins but the Open has proved a stumbling block to date. He was another of the players humiliated amid the Carnoustie carnage in 1999, missing the cut at 19 over par.
LAST 5 OPENS MC/5/20/2/MC
VERDICT: Can he win the elusive Open on a course that holds bad memories? In with a shout.
KEVIN STADLER 400/1
The American ?Son of Walrus? returned to the PGA Tour after a spell on the Nationwide Tour last year where he finished 12th on the money list. His return hasn?t been an easy one ? he has only had two top-25 finishes so far in 2007. Won the European Tour?s Johnnie Walker Classic last year with four sub-70 rounds.
LAST 5 OPENS N/A
VERDICT: He could struggle on the Major stage with his indifferent form and lack of Open experience.
HENRIK STENSON 40/1
The Swede is arguably the best emerging player in world golf. He defeated a stellar field that included Tiger and Ernie at the Dubai Desert Classic in February, and followed up with the World Match Play title on his next start. He?s well ahead on this year's European Tour Order of Merit, but has no Open record to speak of.
LAST 5 OPENS 48/34/DNP/DNP/DNP
VERDICT: Will win Majors in future, but needs to prove himself on the links.
RICHARD STERNE 80/1
With a first, third and fifth place already this season, the South African has been one of the most consistent golfers on the European Tour. He denied home favourite Bradley Dredge at the Celtic Manor Wales Open and is currently in the form of his life.
LAST 5 OPENS MC/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP
VERDICT: He is playing well but has no Open form. A strong outsider.
GRAEME STORM 250/1
Storm arrives at Carnoustie fresh off the back of his maiden European Tour victory. He beat a high class field at the French Open to claim his first win in seven years on the European Tour. He qualified for the Open through IFQ at Sunningdale continuing in his rich vein of form. Despite his recent results he?d be an unlikely contender.
LAST 5 OPENS: DNP/78/DNP/DNP/DNP
VERDICT: A European Tour journeyman in good form ? will be pleased to make the cut.
STEVE STRICKER 80/1
He has had a high number of top-10s over the past two seasons but failed to convert them into victories. He?s in good form, however, having finished tied for 13th in the US Open at Oakmont, and is currently ranked 23rd in the world. The 2001 World Match Play champion?s best result in the Open came in 1996 when he finished tied for 22nd.
LAST 5 OPENS DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP/T59
VERDICT: Has proved himself capable of winning on the big stage but needs to convert his chances.
TORU TANIGUCHI 500/1
The Japanese star will be playing in his sixth Open Championship and qualifies for Carnoustie courtesy of his top-two finish on the Japanese Tour in 2006. He has made the cut twice but never finished inside the top 30. Over the past five years on the Japanese Tour he has finished in the top 10 on the money list on every occasion.
LAST 5 OPENS DNP/MC/DNP/MC/69
VERDICT: Taniguchi has no strong Open form. A relatively short hitter, he may struggle on the links.
HIDETO TANIHARA 250/1
The Japanese player finished fifth at Royal Liverpool, recording his best Major finish of his career. Tanihara will be competing in his third Open Championship and had his best ever season on the Japan Golf Tour last year, finishing second on the money list.
LAST 5 OPENS 5/DNP/DNP/MC/DNP
VERDICT: A consistent performer on the Japan Golf Tour who has proved he can cope on seaside courses.
VAUGHN TAYLOR 200/1
The Augusta local finish tied for 10th in this year?s Masters and had a strong start to the PGA Tour season with a third and a fourth place. However, he is currently suffering something of a slump, missing the cut in four of his last five tournaments.
LAST 5 OPENS T66/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP
VERDICT: He comes into the Open on the back of some poor results ? will want to build on a good finish at Augusta.
DAVID TOMS 50/1
The American hasn?t had a win since January 2006 but comes into the tournament after a great run ? he finished third, tied fifth and tied sixth in successive events during June. His Open Championship form, however, is not that strong. His best finish was tied fourth in 2000, otherwise tied 30th in 2004 is as good as it gets. He missed last year?s Open due to a bad back so will want to restore some pride in 2007.
LAST 5 OPENS DNP/DQ/T30/MC/83
VERDICT: Could do well if he can adapt quickly to the conditions.
SCOTT VERPLANK 66/1
This experienced American says he loves playing in the Open Championship more than any other. He has proved he can play links golf and finished a respectable 15th at Carnoustie in 1999. He also managed his best Open finish of tied seventh the last time accuracy was really at a premium ? at Troon in 2004. He?s in good form and has already won this year ? at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship in April.
LAST 5 OPENS T31/T23/T7/MC/T37
VERDICT: The American could be a good outside bet ? worth a close look in speciality markets.
ANTHONY WALL 400/1
Wall was the best-placed British player in the 2006 Open and his tie for 11th earned him a spot at Carnoustie. He was placed 13th on the 2006 European Tour Order of Merit and came second in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, proving his seaside golf credentials. He hasn?t found last year?s form yet this season but will be looking forward to returning to the Open.
LAST 5 OPENS T11/DNP/DNP/T46/DNP
VERDICT: Can certainly play links golf but his average form won?t fill him with confidence.
Paul Waring 1,500/1
The Englishman finished LFQ at Monifieth on seven under par to qualify for Carnoustie by one shot. Despite bogeying the 17th in round two, he desperately hung with a par at the last to make it through. The man from Bromborough will be making his first Open appearance.
Last 5 Opens: N/A
Verdict: With no previous experience of golf at the highest level this will be a fond learning experience.
NICK WATNEY 300/1
After a slow start on the PGA Tour, Watney is gradually finding his feet. Although he has missed his fair share of cuts in 2007, he bagged his first win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with four rounds in the 60s. He hasn?t played in the Open before and is an unknown quantity on the links.
LAST 5 OPENS N/A
VERDICT: He has a lot to learn in his first Open Championship.
DREW WEAVER (A) 2,000/1
Qualifies for the Open as the winner of the British Amateur Championship held at Royal Lytham & St Annes. This is one of the finest links courses in the world and victory there will have given Weaver a lot of confidence. This is a promising young American who will also play in next year?s Masters.
LAST 5 OPENS NA
VERDICT: This will be his first Major and a big learning experience.
BOO WEEKLEY 300/1
Weekley returned to the PGA Tour for the second time this season and has found success in the form of one win and a second place. He played in his first Major ? the US Open ? earlier this year and finished tied for 26th. This shows he?s in great form but Carnoustie will be an altogether different test
LAST 5 OPENS NA
VERDICT: Weekley has limited knowledge of Scottish links golf but is a big hitter with good GIR stats. Could make an impression.
MIKE WEIR 100/1
The former Green Jacket winner put in solid performances (ties for 20th) at both the Masters and US Open this year but has yet to break into the top 10 on the PGA Tour. His best result in the Open is ninth in 2003 but Weir has failed to break par on any of his other appearances. Nevertheless, the Canadian is a solid performer who is always expected to do well in any tournament he starts.
LAST 5 OPENS 56/MC/9/28/69
VERDICT: Will do well to improve on his 2003 performance.
LEE WESTWOOD 66/1
The Worksop star is one of the most prolific European winners ever with 23 worldwide tournament victories and an outstanding Ryder Cup record. He has struggled for consistency in recent years and generally under-performed in Majors, although fourth place at Troon in 2004 was a highlight. He has plenty of good experience around Carnoustie as another former Dunhill Links winner.
LAST 5 OPENS 31/MC/4/MC/MC
VERDICT: He has a chance to win at his best ? and has a proven temperament in pressure situations.
BRETT WETTERICH300/1
Wetterich is one of the longest drivers on tour, but with that comes limited accuracy. He is yet to feature in a Major championship and could struggle in the Carnoustie winds. A second place at the WGC-CA Championship and a top-10 finish at the Honda Classic are his best results this season.
LAST 5 OPENS MC/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP
VERDICT: This is only his second Open ? he?ll be looking to improve on a missed cut last year.
OLIVER WILSON 250/1
Oliver Wilson is one of the European Tour?s most consistent competitors. He has only missed three cuts this year and lies in 41st position on the Order of Merit. He qualified through IFQ at Sunningdale and will be pleased to continue his run of cuts made.
LAST 5 OPENS: NA
VERDICT: Yet to win on the European Tour so unlikely to make an impact at the Open.
TIGER WOODS 11/4
The world number one is bidding for his fourth Open title and third in succession after victories at St Andrews and Hoylake. However, he doesn?t have great memories of Carnoustie where he finished tied for seventh. A cautious strategy could well pay dividends this time, as Tiger has proved before that the quality of his long irons can enable him to leave the driver in the bag and focus on accuracy from the tee.
LAST 5 OPENS 1/1/9/4/28
VERDICT: Tiger is a worthy favourite as always ? will the nappy factor come into play?
DUFFY WALDORF 500/1
A professional since 1985 Waldorf has made his trade on the PGA Tour since then. No major victories to mention and four career victories on tour suggest he is not a major contender at this time in his career. His best Open finish was in 2002 when he finished 18th, other than that, no others in the top-25.
LAST 5 OPENS: DNP/67/DNP/34/18
VERDICT: Open form over the years would suggest he is unlikely to compete at the top of the leaderboard.
YONG-EUN YANG 400/1
The Korean won the first European Tour event of the season but hasn?t made the top 20 since. The 35-year-old has played on the Korean PGA and Japan golf tours and had successes on both but is an unknown quantity where the Open is concerned
LAST 5 OPENS DNP/MC/DNP/DNP/DNP
VERDICT: Probably not a contender this year.
Matthew Zions 500/1
The Australian is a member of the European Tour but is in the middle of a rather disappointing year. He has missed eight cuts in 15 events and lies in 161st on the Order of Merit. Having qualified through LFQ at Montrose, he?ll hope that a solid performance at Carnoustie will kick start his season.
Last 5 Opens: N/A
Verdict: A journey without much recent form to speak of, will be delighted to make the cut.