The Open 2014-The Contenders

The Open starts at Hoylake on Thursday.Let's take a look at who is in with a shout and could potentially be lifting the Claret Jug on Sunday.

No Major Championship contenders list goes without mentioning the great Tiger Woods.Yes it has been a while since he won a major,yes he has had his problems,yes he has not played in a tournament recently but there is a good reason he heads this list.Tiger won The Open the last time it was held at Hoylake in 2006 and he won it in some style,finishing 18 strokes under par over the 4 rounds. Tiger's power and precision make him dangerous on a course like Hoylake.The 2-iron stinger will come into play off many of the par 4 tees and the power he has will enable him to find fairways with a long iron while others will be looking to control a driver or a 3-wood,that gives him a great advantage.I have always insisted that Tiger will add to his major haul and I will stick to that claim,he is a winner and has an unrivalled mental toughness which when coupled with his experience on this course and the impressive pace he set 8 years ago makes for a compelling argument for the legendary American.

Of course there are other big hitters in the game besides Tiger Woods.Bubba Watson is not an obvious choice for an Open contender despite his 2 major wins but with his big hitting and short game creativity,could well go close if he optimises his power with conservative plays off the tee.Dustin Johnson is a name that is often thrown around in the Majors and I think he too could well be in with a shout come Sunday if he manages to retain a degree of control in his rhythm and tempo and plays within himself,there is no need for him to go flat out on this course with the power he has at his disposal. Rory Mcilroy is always a contender in the majors and he will fancy his chances,the course will suit his game and he will look at the past winning score and think this could be his week.The -18 total last time out suggests that this will be less of a Carnoustie style scrap for survival and more of a test of conversion of solid tee to green play and short game mastery.

I've looked at the big hitters but that's not to rule out the tidier,less powerful players such as Brandt Snedeker and Luke Donald who could contend if their short games fire and the putter works some magic.
The form players of the moment are Justin Rose and Martin Kaymer,Rose looked in control of his game at the Scottish Open and Kaymer's performance at the US Open was as impressive as it was clinical in it's execution. Phil Mickelson will not give up his title without a fight,he won over the crowds last time out and will enjoy great support this week too.Phil's masterful wedge play,classy putting and free flowing rhythm give him assets that make him a danger at Hoylake.

Outsiders to consider could be Lee Westwood who has proven pedigree in The Open,Jim Furyk a tidy proven major winner and Henrik Stenson who is a big power player.

The winner will reveal himself on Sunday and whoever it is, this will be a cracking Open.Roll on Thursday.

Golf: The Open Championship Contenders 2011

The Open at Royal St.George's kicks off next week and the stage is set for someone to seize the claret jug and cement their name in golfing history. I believe Lee Westwood is well placed to break his Major winning duck. The level headed Englishman is a majestic iron player and has the experience to finally land one of golf's big 4 titles. A sizzling 65 in the first round at The Scottish Open shows he is in the mood to go well in golf's oldest major.The winner is likely to be someone with a reputation for straight driving and impressive greens in regulation statistics. The importance of long, straight driving is emphasised more than usual by the quirky layout of the course.

Luke Donald is an obvious contender,with his long game precision, as is USPGA champion, Martin Kaymer. Rory Mcilroy is the favourite and is priced as short as 5/1 chance with the bookmakers. The 2011 US Open victory along with 3 strong rounds at Augusta illustrate that he is a threat, I just wonder whether the newly formed pressure of last month's performance will hinder his concentration and mental approach.

2010 US Open Champion Graeme Mcdowell has the ability to beat strong winds with low trajectory shot-making where necessary and a stunning 2nd round at The Scottish Open show that he is finding the groove at just the right time.

Charl Schwartzel will still be enjoying the confidence boost of his Masters win and has the length,shot shaping ability and accuracy off the tee to be a contender.

When considering outside shots for the Championship, Bubba Watson springs to mind. If the big American can avoid hitting too many errant tee shots, he can overpower this course if he gets things going on the greens.  Matteo Mannasero and Anthony Kim will win majors one day. These two young stars have the power and accuracy to make them a threat at any tournament.

Padraig Harrington must be considered with his 3 major wins and who would write off Ernie Els? The experience, swing consistency and wind control shot-making of the South African could surprise many by going close next week.

Royal St. Georges has a habit of producing surprise winners. Could Phil Mickelson finally capture a British Open crown? I would be surprised if the big hitting left hander lifts the Claret Jug next Sunday but with his Major winning pedigree and amazing short game, who knows?