The Open / Dan Geraghty / 14 July 2010 /

Dan Geraghty tells us how he thinks the PGA Tour's stars such as Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker will fare this week.

Well, I think it's only right to start with Bubba Watson. Bubba's huge tee shots and sexy wedge game have plenty of similarities with the game of 1995's St Andrews winner John Daly. Driveable par fours aplenty means Bubba will certainly be interesting to follow. The big man's in the form of his life and boasts plenty of finesse to go with his huge distance. Last week he was trading at a massive [350.0], the current [180.0] might still be a wee bit generous.

Last week's winner Steve Stricker, has a much-improved record of late but overall it's been pretty dreadful from Steve on these shores. I'm not at all convinced he has the game for an Open victory and couldn't back him with stolen money.

Phil Mickelson has a similarly dreadful Open record but let's face it, I'd back Phil to win an egg and spoon race. Despite what the facts say, I am certain Lefty has the game to win at St Andrews and his new found distance can only help. I think we will be in for an exciting finish this week with plenty of big big names in the thick of it - here's hoping Phil is one of them.

Tiger Woods' perfect record here is there for all to see and the great man has to be feared but nothing would suprise me from him this week.

Jeff Overton finished a suprising 13th at last year's Open and off the back of a superb first half of the PGA Tour season he can be expected to go very well once again. Overton has yet to register his first win but has become one of the most consistant golfers on tour.

David Duval kickstarted his mini resurgance here at the Open two years ago when he found himself bang in contention going into the weekend. His current form is nothing out of the ordinary but he seems to come alive at the big events and can't be completely written off this week.

A Rickie Fowler victory on tour is surely just a matter of time but it will raise a few eyebrows should it come this week at the Open. All that is missing from a great start to Fowler's career is a win and the fearless youngster certainly has the talent to lay it down to the big guns here.

Having been born in Scotland, this week will be extra special for Michael Sim and it may have been a blessing in disguise that the youngster missed the cut in America last week. I think he's worth playing in a couple of markets, such as top Australian and top 20 finish.

I suppose Justin Rose counts as a PGA Tour star these days and despite his price looking a bit stingy at first glance, Rose is certainly in the form of his life and has won a junior tournament at St Andrews.

For the record, of the Europeans I agree with Mike Norman that Ross Fisher is peaking at the right time, he should lead Europe's charge alongside young Rory and he's absolutely screaming to be backed here.

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