IN the absence of Rory McIlroy at St Andrews, who will win this year’s Open? Golf writer Paul Fraser has arrived in Scotland and thinks the wait for an English winner of the Claret Jug will go on. Here are his five to follow on the Old Course:
THE FAVOURITE
Jordan Spieth
Odds: 6/1
Who else? The bookmakers already appear to have made up their minds that this gifted 21-year-old will claim a third successive major title. It is difficult to disagree, particularly as McIlroy recovers from a football injury.
If winning the Masters and US Open already this year wasn’t enough, he then stunned the field at the John Deere Classic last Saturday with a career-low 61 to help secure his latest Tour title.
His unique putting style – where he looks at the hole rather than the ball on contact – has caused something of a stir but it has worked wonders. And there’s every chance it will work for him at St Andrews too.
THE AMERICAN
Dustin Johnson
Odds: 12/1
He is second on Tour in putting averages and the last two winners of the Open at St Andrews – Louis Oosthuizen in 2010 and Tiger Woods five years earlier – have topped the field in putts.
Johnson also has a decent Open pedigree, having finished tied second in 2011 and then ninth the following year. He might have won the first of those had it not been for his out of bounds two-iron at Royal St George’s on the Sunday.
The fact he seems to have rectified his putting problems – having never previously been regarded as being an ideal player round the greens – suggests his chances of glory are as strong as ever.
THE EUROPEAN
Henrik Stenson
Odds: 22/1
The memory of finishing tied third at St Andrews in 2010 will be fresh in the Swede’s mind going in to the first round, particularly as he was brilliant with his putter that year.
He tends to impress on the major stage too and it was only two years ago when he came close to finally winning the title only to be pipped by Phil Mickelson at Muirfield.
If memories and putting are not enough, Stenson’s game is ideal for links golf. He hits a three-wood very low and very long, as North-East golf fans might attest having seen him in his younger days at Wynyard in the Seve Trophy ten years ago.
THE BRIT
Luke Donald
Odds: 90/1
For those looking for an English winner of the Open for the first time since Nick Faldo in 1992 then there can’t be too many thinking of Luke Donald.
The former world number one has slipped out of the top 50 – while the likes of Justin Rose, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood have remained – but that seems to have helped him rediscover his touch.
Donald is still desperate to win his first major on British soil and heads for the east coast of Fife after qualifying at the Travelers Championship. He finished tied seventh there repeated that finish at last weekend’s Scottish Open in Gullane, so he could well be a surprise package.
THE DURHAM MAN
Rob Dinwiddie
Odds: 1000/1
The Barnard Castle golfer has never fulfilled his potential on the European Tour and much of his frustrations have been down to injury problems.
That was highlighted when he was unable to play in the qualifiers last year after rupturing a disc in his back, which kept him out of the game for ten months.
His finest hour came on a big stage when he shot a course record 63 at the PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2008.
But he reminded everyone of his ability when he finally qualified for his first Open at the 16th time of asking at Woburn earlier this month. The 32-year-old – who first went to qualifying at the age of 15 - did so by holing a 40ft birdie putt on the penultimate hole to avoid a play off.
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