THE 146th Open Championship gets underway at Royal Birkdale today, when Barnard Castle’s Rob Dinwiddie will be jostling for position with the game’s very best to impress.

Golf writer Paul Fraser picks out his five men to follow as the world’s biggest names compete to get their hands on the Claret Jug won by Henrik Stenson last year.

THE FAVOURITE

Rickie Fowler

Odds: 14/1

It would be so easy to opt for Jordan Spieth, because I always do, or world No 1 Dustin Johnson, but this could be another American’s year.

Fowler is getting there. It is a matter of time before he lands a Claret Jug and he has been close often enough before, particularly when he finished second in 2014.

He has the elite driving required, possesses the low ball flight to tame the Birkdale links, the temperament and as in the form required to win it. This could be the year it all comes together.

THE EUROPEAN

Sergio Garcia

Odds: 16/1

The Spaniard well and truly got the monkey off his back by winning the US Masters in April and he has always tended to do reasonably well at The Open before fading away. He has ten top ten finishes since 2001.

Garcia has all the weapons needed to tame the 7,156-yard, par-70 Southport course and has earned nearly $3m this year, made the cut in all 11 tournaments he has entered and has finished in the top 25 in eight of those events.

THE BRIT

Justin Rose

Odds: 20/1

So often golfers talk about playing well on the courses where they hold nice memories. Well, in that case, Rose must be a shoo-in for this year’s Claret Jug, right?

It is never quite as simple as that. There is no doubting, though, that Rose has the mentality to shine and deliver the Open crown he craves. His best finish remains the tied fourth he achieved in 1998 as an amateur.

That 80-yard approach he holed at the last led to celebrations, a Silver Medal and a fantastic career – albeit after a shaky start. What a story it would be for him to return an Open champion.

THE REST OF THE WORLD

Hideki Matusyama

Odds: 22/1

The Japanese golfer’s only top ten finish from four Open outings was at Muirfield in 2013 and yet he has gone from strength to strength since missing the cut at Troon last year.

Matsuyama is ranked the second best player in the world and for that reason, if he can get off to a decent start at Royal Birkdale, he has every chance.

He has won nearly $6m already this season, and that includes two victories and three second-place finishes among the 15 PGA tournaments he has entered and finished second at the US Open.

THE OUTSIDER

Lee Westwood

Odds: 80/1

DON’T ask why? After all, the man representing Close House has still not won the major everyone expected of him and now he is aged 44. The former world No 1, though, has been playing well, looks in confident mood and will hope his split with long-time manager Chubby Chandler has a favourable effect on his game.

He has four Open top four finishes and still has the ability and the game to win a Claret Jug. Could this be his year? If Sergio Garcia can, then why not Westwood?