The Open / Paul Krishnamurty / 12 July 2010 /

Americans have dominated the Open in recent years so which player form their attack this year? Paul Krishnamurty on the leading seven

Tiger Woods [6.8]
Last Five Opens: mc/-/12/1/1
There are equally strong arguments for backing or laying Tiger to win his fourth Open title. Ralph Ellis puts a strong case against Tiger's chance here. Undoubtedly the post-scandal Woods has, so far, been a pale shadow of his former self, and inspires very little confidence.
Alternatively, the case in favour notes that he managed to get into final day contention in both of this season's majors, despite being well below his best on both occasions, barely holing a putt of significance. Now he's presented with one of his favourite courses; one where inaccuracy is less likely to be penalised, and where he won both previous Opens by an aggregate of 13 shots. Moreover, at [6.8], he is twice the price at which he delivered in 2000 and 2005.

Phil Mickelson [19.5]
Last Five Opens: -/19/mc/22/60
For obvious reasons of reputation, Mickelson is always among the market leaders for an Open, but there is precious little in the way of British form to support a bet. In nearly two decades of trying, Lefty has just one Open top-ten to his name, at Troon in 2004, during the best spell of his career. At least he should prefer wide-open St Andrews to other Open venues, though 60th place in 2005 suggests otherwise.

Steve Stricker [46.0]
Last Five Opens: 52/7/8/-/-
Prior to last week's events, my comments about Stricker looked certain to be dismissive, as the world number four had struggled since returning from injury. Now, following a superb -26 winning tally at the John Deere Classic, he is firmly back in the Open picture. St Andrews will present a wholly different sort of test, but Stricker's outstanding short-game skills will certainly be an asset.

Jim Furyk [50.0]
Last Five Opens: 34/5/12/4/mc
Famed for his consistency, this former US Open champion has made the top-5 in the Open on four occasions; a record which ensures he is always a strong candidate for top American honours. Of all the Open venues, however, St Andrews is probably the least suitable for a short-hitter like Furyk.

Dustin Johnson [95.0]
Last Five Opens: mc/-/-/-/-
Consecutive victories in the Pebble Beach Pro-am offer a hint that Johnson might become an accomplished links exponent. There was absolutely nothing on Dustin's Open debut at Turnberry to suggest he has the game for this major, although his extreme driving distance will be an asset around St Andrews. One can only hope he has put bad memories from the US Open, where he fell apart after holding a three-shot final day lead, behind him.

Ben Curtis [130.0]
Last Five Opens: mc/7/8/mc/mc
Curtis may have provided the biggest upset in majors history when winning at Sandwich in 2003, but he has gone on to confirm that links prowess in subsequent Opens. Of his compatriots, only Tiger Woods can better Ben's record of three top-tens this century. He missed the cut at St Andrews in 2005 though, and the suspicion remains that this shortish hitter is better suited to more accuracy orientated Open venues.

Stewart Cink [160.0]
Last Five Opens: 1/mc/6/mc/mc
The defending champion was trading around [300.0] before Turnberry, and having rarely produced his best during the past twelve months, is an outsider once again. While Cink undoubtably has greater links experience and aptitude than most Americans, both efforts in the last two Opens to be held at St Andrews were disappointing.

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