Steve Palmer
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The British Open has arrived, with the final golf major of the year getting underway this Thursday at St Andrews in Scotland. As always, the British Open means an early start for golf fans and bettors, so be sure to set your alarm clocks so you don’t miss any of the action!
To help you decide which golfers you want to support this week, I’ve gone through every player who will be in the field and broken them down in this player-by-player guide.
You can also check out all our coverage of The British Open here, including picks and predictions from Diane Knox Balas. Diane has hit winners at 10/1, 30/1 and 55/1 over the past month, so her advice is always worth reading!
Abraham Ancer
Mexican has a poor Open record (MC-MC-59) and is winless this year. Defected to LIV Golf for the second event, having withdrawn late from the US Open, citing illness.
Marcus Armitage
Burly Salford lad playing in his third Open (MC-53). Has won once on the Challenge Tour and once on the DP World Tour.
Adri Arnaus
Spanish slugger made his DP World Tour breakthrough in his homeland in May, but has played poorly since. Missed cut in only previous Open.
Sam Bairstow
A 23-year-old amateur playing in second Open, having missed the cut last year. Has played in the St Andrews Links Trophy three times and never carded over-par on the Old Course.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Accurate South African with sharp short-game, tied second in John Deere Classic the week before last, but has flopped in two previous Opens (MC-53) and never bettered 30th in a Major.
Alexander Bjork
Swede seeking to make first Open cut at his fourth attempt. The short-hitting 32-year-old seems more likely to fail than succeed.
Richard Bland
Veteran plodder, who won his first DP World Tour title last year, defected to LIV Golf before finishing 43rd in the US Open. Humdrum Open form of MC-22-67.
Keegan Bradley
US PGA champion in 2011, but no top-tens in his eight previous Opens. Winless since September, 2018. Missed cut by six shots in Scottish Open last week.
Barclay Brown
Walker Cup star won the Final Qualifying event at Hollinwell. The 21-year-old Stanford student is making his Open debut.
Dean Burmester
South African powerhouse making second Open start. Tied 40th last year – his best finish in a Major. Tied tenth in Scottish Open on Sunday.
Sam Burns
Tied 76th on Open debut last year, finishing joint-last of the weekend qualifiers. Has won four PGA Tour titles since May, 2021, and is full of form and confidence, but lacking links experience.
Mark Calcavecchia
A 62-year-old who won the 1989 Open. Has missed the cut in his last four Open appearances. Just in St Andrews for fun.
Ben Campbell
A 30-year-old New Zealander making Open debut. Has course experience from the St Andrews Links Trophy, but making cut would be great achievement.
Patrick Cantlay
FedEx Cup champ, won the Zurich Classic pairs event with Xander Schauffele in April, but winless this year on own. Carded Sunday 76 when contending in Travelers last month. Fourth in Scottish Open. Open form of 12-41-MC.
Laurie Canter
LIV defector with Open form of MC-37. Has never won on the DP World Tour. Dunhill Links form (two rounds at St Andrews) of 63-36-61-MC.
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David Carey
Dubliner, 26, won the Fairmont St Andrews qualifier. Carded a 57 in an Alps Tour event in 2019, but likely to miss the cut on Old Course debut.
Paul Casey
Injury-plagued Englishman, who returned from almost four months off with 15th place in the JP McManus Pro-Am last week. Tied third in the 2010 Open at St Andrews, but rusty and lacking form.
John Catlin
American plodder, 31, who has won three times on the DP World Tour and four times on the Asian Tour. Has never made the cut in a Major. Missed cut in Scottish Open last week.
Filippo Celli
A 21-year-old Italian amateur, who won the European Amateur Championship in June. Well out of his depth in Major competition and likely to miss cut.
Ashley Chesters
English 32-year-old DP World Tour maiden. Tied 12th as an amateur in the 2015 Open at St Andrews, his last Major start.
Mingyu Cho
A 33-year-old Korean who has won twice on the Japan Tour. Major debut this week. Lamb to the slaughter.
Stewart Cink
Open champion in 2009 at Turnberry – his only top-five finish in the event. St Andrews Open form of 41-MC-48-20. Turns 50 in May.
Wyndham Clark
Long driver who typically putts well. Open debut. The American has never bettered 75th place in a Major. Lacking links experience.
Darren Clarke
Tied seventh in the 2000 Open at St Andrews. Lifted the Claret Jug at Sandwich in 2011. A 53-year-old who competes on the Champions Tour these days.
Corey Conners
Greens-in-regulation machine who struggles with putting. The Canadian tied 15th in the Open last year. St Andrews debut.
John Daly
The 1995 Open champion at St Andrews. Wild Thing beat Costantino Rocca in a playoff. The 56-year-old has not made an Open cut since 2012.
Justin De Los Santos
A 26-year-old Filippino who plies his trade on the Japan Tour. Major debutant who appears almost certain to miss the cut.
Bryson DeChambeau
Musclebound Californian who defected to LIV Golf for the second event. That decision, plus injuries and dire form, has put his place in the world’s top 50 under threat. Open form of MC-51-MC-33.
Thomas Detry
Underachieving Belgian, who has won once on the Challenge Tour, but never on the DP World Tour. Missed cut on Open debut last year. Tied tenth in Scottish Open on Sunday.
Robert Dinwiddie
A 39-year-old plodder who has qualified for his third Open. Missed the cut in his previous two. Outside the world’s top 1,500.
Stephen Dodd
Welsh veteran has qualified for fourth Open. Has missed cut in all six Major starts. Turns 56 on Friday, outside world’s top 1,800.
Jamie Donaldson
A Sunday 67 in the Scottish Open meant a share of sixth place and a St Andrews ticket. The 46-year-old Welshman, a three-time Tour champ, has zero top-30s from six Open starts.
David Duval
A 50-year-old who won his last Tour title in the 2001 Open at Lytham. The only Open cut he has made since 2008 came at St Andrews in 2015.
Ernie Els
South African legend, who tied second in the 2000 Open at St Andrews, lifted the Claret Jug in 2002 and 2012. Making up the numbers aged 52.
Harris English
Hip surgery has meant the Georgia man has played only six tournaments this year. Lacks sharpness and has mediocre Open record.
Oliver Farr
Three-time Challenge Tour victor has qualified for Open debut aged 34. A Welshman residing outside the world’s top 750.
Jorge Fernandez-Valdes
Argentinian 29-year-old who has been playing well on the South American circuit. Out of his depth for Major debut.
Tony Finau
Utah Giant with solid Majors record, including Open form of 18-27-9-3-15. Has twice finished tenth in the Dunhill Links. Dangerous with a half-decent week of putting.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Tied 39th of 50 in the JP McManus Pro-Am on his return from US Open glory, but followed up with sixth place in the Scottish Open. Dunhill Links form of MC-MC-15-MC-26. First St Andrews Open.
Tommy Fleetwood
Links natural who has twice finished second in the Dunhill Links. Missed cut by a shot in only previous St Andrews Open. Tied for fourth place in the Scottish Open on Sunday after a 67-67 weekend. Obvious chance.
Jack Floydd
Englishman who plies trade on Alps Tour. Outside world’s top 1,000. Surprise qualifier likely to miss the cut.
Matthew Ford
English journeyman outside the world’s top 1,000. Major debut this week.
Ryan Fox
Power-packed Kiwi in fantastic form on the DP World Tour, winning Ras al Khaimah Classic in February and following up with four top-threes. Impressive links record, but not in Dunhill. St Andrews Open debut.
Dylan Frittelli
South African was fifth in the Open last year, but is probably not playing well enough to contend this time. First St Andrews Open.
Sergio Garcia
The 2017 Masters champion has missed the cut in 13 Majors since his Augusta success. Tied fifth in the 2005 Open at St Andrews, then sixth in the 2015 edition there, but recent form is underwhelming.
Talor Gooch
LIV Golf defector playing in second Open (tied 33rd last year). A 30-year-old with one PGA Tour title. Unattractive option.
Matthew Griffin
Journeyman Australian turns 39 later this month. Lacks success outside of his homeland. Missed cut in only previous Open.
Emiliano Grillo
Argentinian underachiever with only one PGA Tour title. Turns 30 in September. Open record consists of two ties for 12th and three missed cuts. St Andrews Open debut.
Lock in Diane Knox Balas’ Top 5 and Top 10 best bets for the British Open
Justin Harding
LIV Golf defector in decent form – and a two-time DP World Tour champion who is effective in a breeze – but lacks St Andrews experience.
Brian Harman
Little left-hander has missed four cuts in six Open starts, with a best finish of 19th place. He was 13 over par for two rounds in the Scottish Open last week.
Padraig Harrington
Two-time winner of the Dunhill Links, which features two rounds at St Andrews. US Senior Open champ last month, then fifth in JP McManus Pro-Am. Two-time Open champion could have some fun aged 50.
Tyrrell Hatton
The 2016 and 2017 Dunhill Links champion, finished second in 2018 when chasing hat-trick, then second again last year. Fourth in JP McManus Pro-Am last week, then among birdies again in Scottish Open. Huge runner.
Russell Henley
Winless on PGA Tour since April, 2017, and twitchy in contention. Zero top-tens in 31 Majors. Best Open finish came at St Andrews (20th, 2015).
Lucas Herbert
An ugly finish to round two meant a missed cut by a shot in the Scottish Open last week, but the Aussie relishes links combat and breezy conditions. Tied seventh in the 2018 Dunhill Links. Dangerman.
Kazuki Higa
Fast-improving 27-year-old Japanese, who has won twice in his homeland this season, bursting into world’s top 100. Major debut this week.
Garrick Higgo
South African left-hander has seen his career stall this year, following fantastic 2021 when he won twice on the DP World Tour and once on the PGA Tour. Miserable form. Has missed his last four Major cuts.
Tom Hoge
Accurate approach-play saw the 33-year-old charge into the world’s top 50 by winning at Pebble Beach in February, but he has been in dire form since May’s US PGA and this Open debut seems set for failure.
Nicolai Hojgaard
Gifted but inconsistent Dane has won two DP World Tour titles at the age of 21, but recent form is terrible and he has never made the cut in a Major.
Max Homa
The Californian has become a prolific PGA Tour champion, winning four times since May, 2019, but his Majors record is poor and he lacks links experience.
Billy Horschel
Boisterous Floridian won the BMW PGA last year and the Memorial last month. Game in good shape and full of self-belief, but Open record is abysmal (five missed cuts in seven starts; best finish of 30th).
Sam Horsfield
Florida-based Englishman won the Soudal Open in May – his third DP World Tour title – then defected to LIV Golf. Tied 67th on Open debut last year. Has missed five cuts in seven Major starts.
Viktor Hovland
Norwegian ace was third in world rankings four months ago, but his form has disappeared in that period, and he produced some ugly stuff in Scotland last week. Tied 12th on Open debut last year. St Andrews debut.
Mackenzie Hughes
Canadian with sharp short-game, finished sixth in the Open last year – his first top-ten finish in a Major. A nine-over-par effort in the Scottish Open last week dented confidence prior to St Andrews debut.
Sungjae Im
Calm Korean missed the cut in only previous Open (2019). St Andrews debut. Talented, but lacking links experience and missed cut in Scotland last week.
Shugo Imahira
Seven-time Japan Tour champion at the age of 29. Seven missed cuts in nine Major starts, with a best finish of 44th place.
Aaron Jarvis
A 19-year-old from the Cayman Islands. Won the Latin America Amateur Championship. Carded rounds of 81 and 74 in the Masters in April. Expect a missed cut.
Dustin Johnson
Two-time Major champion. The most high-profile LIV Golf defector. St Andrews Open form of 14-49. Has been struggling to find top gear since finishing 12th in the Masters in April.
Zach Johnson
The winner of the most recent Open at St Andrews (2015), but at the age of 46 and with a Ryder Cup captaincy distracting him, playing career is winding down. A weekend off seems on the cards.
Matthew Jordan
Open debut for links natural, who grew up playing at Hoylake, relishing this type of terrain and comfortable in wind. He was fifth in the 2019 Dunhill Links and should go well this week at juicy odds.
Sadom Kaewkanjana
A 23-year-old Thai who has won twice on the Asian Tour. Missed the cut in the US PGA in May on Major debut and has played mainly on the LIV Golf circuit since.
Yuto Katsuragawa
Second place in the Singapore Open was enough to earn a St Andrews ticket and a Major debut. The Japanese has made a strong start to life as a pro, winning twice in his homeland.
Takumi Kanaya
The 24-year-old has won three times on the Japan Tour but has missed his last six Major cuts, including two in the Open.
Brad Kennedy
Aussie 48-year-old making fourth Open appearance. Yet to make cut in four Major starts. Has enjoyed low-grade success at home and in Japan, but found wanting at highest level.
Chan Kim
Tied 11th on Open debut in 2017. Open results of MC-53 since. In poor form for St Andrews debut.
Minkyu Kim
Japan Tour formhorse, who won the Korea Open last month. Prodigy who won on the Challenge Tour aged 17. Full of talent, but steep learning curve on Major debut.
Joohyung Kim
Korean ace enjoying rapid rise up world rankings. Has just turned 20 with two Asian Tour wins under belt. Finished 23rd on US Open debut last month. Open debut could go well too. Third in Scottish Open last week.
Sihwan Kim
A Korean having a remarkable year – winning his first two Asian Tour titles before joining LIV Golf. A 33-year-old finally fulfilling amateur promise. Major debut.
Si Woo Kim
Three-time PGA Tour champion, who comes with no fitness or form guarantees. Capable but inconsistent. Open form of MC-67-MC. St Andrews debut.
Chris Kirk
Four-time PGA Tour champ, but winless since May, 2015. Open results of 19-MC-MC. St Andrews debut. Tied fifth in the US PGA in May and playing well, but lacks links experience.
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Kevin Kisner
Tied second in the 2018 Open at Carnoustie – by far his best Open result. Missed cut on Open debut at St Andrews in 2015. Four-time PGA Tour victor. Short-game class means he should not be dismissed.
Kurt Kitayama
Runner-up finish in the Scottish Open on Sunday earned him a St Andrews place. Has missed the cut in his two previous Opens. Has never bettered 51st place in a Major.
Jason Kokrak
Tied 39th of 50 in the JP McManus Pro-Am, then missed the Scottish Open cut, so warm-up events have not gone well. Open results of MC-32-26. Unattractive option.
Brooks Koepka
Injuries have plagued the Floridian since he won his fourth Major in the 2019 US PGA. Major form this year of MC-55-55. Tenth at St Andrews in 2015 (one of four Open top-tens), but unconvincing this season.
Pablo Larrazabal
Two-time winner on the DP World Tour this year, before defecting to LIV Golf. Abysmal Majors record. Has missed his last three Open cuts, including at St Andrews, 2015.
Thriston Lawrence
A 25-year-old South African, who won the Joburg Open in November, has posted four top-tens on the DP World Tour since. Major debut. Missed cut in Dunhill Links debut last season.
David Law
Scottish 31-year-old making Major debut after fourth place in Irish Open. Dunhill Links form of 61-MC.
Paul Lawrie
The 1999 Open champion is going to post aged 53. The Aberdonian has St Andrews Open form of 58-MC-52-MC-40. Last made an Open cut in 2016.
K.H Lee
Two-time winner of the AT&T Byron Nelson Championship on the PGA Tour. Has moved inside the top 50 of the world rankings, but little can be expected on Open debut.
Min Woo Lee
Aussie with two DP World Tour titles. Tied 14th on Masters debut in April, then 27th in US Open debut last month. Missed cut in first Open last year and dismal Scottish Open title defence last week.
Marc Leishman
Playoff loser in the 2015 Open at St Andrews – one of three top-six finishes in the tournament. Patchy form this year is off-putting – zero top-tens in full-field events.
Haotong Li
Chinese 26-year-old won the BMW International in a remarkable playoff last month – his third DP World Tour title. Finished third on Open debut in 2017, but has missed his last two Open cuts. Dunhill form of 5-23-14.
Luke List
Open form of 39-MC. Has made only five cuts in 15 Major starts. Maiden PGA Tour title came in January at Torrey Pines, but zero top-tens since.
Zander Lombard
A big-hitting 27-year-old South African who has failed to win anything outside his homeland. Open form of 66-67-MC. Outside the world’s top 350.
Shane Lowry
The 2019 Open champ finished 12th in delayed title defence last year. The Irishman has been consistent this season. Tied ninth in Irish Open, then third in JP McManus Pro-Am. Three top-sixes in Dunhill Links.
Robert MacIntyre
Scottish left-hander has lost his way since the Masters, slipping back outside the world’s top 100. Missed cut in Scottish Open last week. Open record (6-8) is excellent, but confidence appears lacking.
Richard Mansell
Superb driver making St Andrews debut aged 27. DP World Tour maiden. Tied 74th on Open debut last year. Making the cut will be his target.
Hideki Matsuyama
The 2021 Masters champ has posted three top-20s in seven Opens, including 18th place at St Andrews in 2015, but has also missed three cuts. Missed cut in Scottish Open last week after fourth spot at US Open.
Rory McIlroy
Tied third in 2010 Open at St Andrews, despite a second-round 80 in strong winds, then won the 2014 Open at Hoylake. Won Canadian Open a month ago. Results of 2-8-5 in 2022 Majors. Sixth in McManus Pro-Am last time out.
Adrian Meronk
Giant Pole won the Irish Open the week before last, then missed the cut by six shots in the Scottish Open. Missed cut in only previous Dunhill Links. Missed cut on Major debut in US Open last month.
Phil Mickelson
Controversial 52-year-old who has spearheaded LIV Golf promotion. Missed cut by eight shots in US Open last month. The 2013 Open champ has missed his last two Open cuts. Results of 40-11-60-48-20 at St Andrews.
Guido Migliozzi
Swashbuckling Italian closed with a 66 for 14th place in the US Open last month. He was fourth on US Open debut last year, but missed cut on Open debut. Wildly inconsistent and has missed ten cuts this year.
Keith Mitchell
The 2019 Honda Classic has provided only PGA Tour title. Missed cut in four of his seven Majors, including in his two Opens. Ten top-20s this season, but has no links form going into St Andrews debut.
Francesco Molinari
The 2018 Open champion turns 40 in November with his career on the slide. The California-based Italian missed the cut by nine shots in the Scottish Open last week. St Andrews Open form of MC-40.
Jediah Morgan
Runaway winner of Australian PGA Championship in January. Has achieved little since and switched to LIV Golf seeking easy buck, finishing last in latest LIV event. Missed cut on Major debut last month (US Open).
Collin Morikawa
Defending champion, having lifted Claret Jug at Royal St George’s last year. Third-round 77 ended US Open title hopes last month. Missed cut by two shots in Scottish Open last week. St Andrews debut.
Ronan Mullarney
Galway lad came through Final Qualifying. He won the R&A Scholars Tournament at St Andrews in 2018. Major debut aged 26. Outside world’s top 1,800.
Trey Mullinax
A maiden PGA Tour title in Barbasol Championship on Sunday meant the Alabama slammer earned an Open debut. Probably the latest arrival at St Andrews, a course new to him.
Sebastian Munoz
Colombian has missed the cut in his two previous Opens. Missed cut by a shot in Scottish Open last week. Lacks links know-how, but possesses sharp short-game and tied 14th in US Open last month.
Kevin Na
LIV Golf defector. Built successful PGA Tour career, including five victories, out of short-game skills. Only two top-tens in 44 Majors. Zero top-20s in the Open.
Keita Nakajima
The best amateur in the world, making Open debut. The 22-year-old Japanese missed the cut in the Masters and US Open. Talented but raw.
Joaquin Niemann
Chilean 23-year-old won a high-class Genesis Invitational by two shots in February – his second PGA Tour title. Played well in Scottish Open last week. Must be respected, but yet to post a Major top-20.
Shaun Norris
South African 40-year-old won the Steyn City Championship in March. Has missed six cuts in nine Major starts. LIV Golf defector, finished second-from-last in the Portland event last time out.
Louis Oosthuizen
The 2010 Open champ at St Andrews, where he won by seven shots. Playoff loser in 2015 Open at the scene of his most famous triumph. Major form of 26-2-2-3 in 2021, but has struggled for fitness and form this year.
Dimitrios Papadatos
Qualifier who resides outside the world’s top 350. The 31-year-old Aussie has won four times in his homeland and once on the Challenge Tour. Major debut.
John Parry
A 35-year-old qualifier who won on the European Tour in 2010. Overdue Open debut comes amid decent Challenge Tour season.
Marco Penge
A 24-year-old Englishman making Major debut. Came through Hollinwell qualifier. Had knee operation last October, but has been impressing on Challenge Tour since returning.
Mito Pereira
Chilean had US PGA title at his mercy in May, but carded double-bogey at the 72nd hole to miss out on the playoff by a shot. PGA Tour maiden making Open debut. Missed cut by four shots in Scottish Open last week.
Victor Perez
The 2019 Dunhill Links champion, so fond of St Andrews. Dundee-based Frenchman. Has missed last six Major cuts. Won Dutch Open in May. Missed cut in Scottish Open last week.
Thomas Pieters
Mercurial Belgian, a six-time DP World Tour champion and former Ryder Cup star, lost a BMW International playoff last month. Open results of 30-44-28-67. Has never made an impact in Dunhill Links.
JT Poston
John Deere Classic glory the week before last followed runner-up finish in Travelers Championship. Open debutant. Has missed cut in four of his seven Majors.
Aldrich Potgieter
Amateur Championship winner at Lytham last month at the age of 17. Open debut for South African starlet.
Ian Poulter
LIV Golf defector missed cut by seven shots in Scottish Open last week, having taken court action in successful bid to play the DP World Tour event. Last Major top ten came in 2015. St Andrews Open form of 64-11-60-MC.
Seamus Power
Irishman enjoying most lucrative spell of career, consistently appearing on PGA Tour leaderboards, moving into the world’s top 50. Open debut this week. Other Major debuts this year have yielded results of 27-9-12.
Anthony Quayle
Aussie finished runner-up in Gateway To Open Mizuno Open on Japan Tour to earn Open spot. Two-time winner in homeland but untested at highest level. Major debut.
Jon Rahm
Started year as world number one, but has won only a low-grade Mexico Open. Tied 12th in US Open after Sunday 74. Tied 11th and third in last two Opens. St Andrews Open debut. Missed cut in only Dunhill Links.
Patrick Reed
LIV Golf defector struggling to maintain place in world’s top 50. The 2018 Masters champion has posted three top-20s from seven Open starts. Tied for third in the last LIV Golf event, improving in each round.
Justin Rose
Runner-up in 2008 Dunhill Links and tied sixth in the 2015 Open at St Andrews. Carded a final-round 60 for fourth place in the Canadian Open last month. A former world number one to respect.
Jamie Rutherford
Englishman residing outside the world’s top 500. Major debut after coming through qualifying.
Xander Schauffele
Zurich Classic pairs success alongside Patrick Cantlay in April has been followed by victory in the Travelers Championship, JP McManus Pro-Am and Scottish Open. Bursting with form. Tied second in 2018 Open.
Scottie Scheffler
World number one won four tournaments in six starts from Phoenix Open through the Masters, then was runner-up at Colonial and in US Open. Missed cut by two shots in Scottish Open. St Andrews debut.
Adam Scott
Tied tenth in the 2015 Open at St Andrews – his best finish at the Home of Golf. Winless since February, 2020. Turns 42 on Saturday.
Jason Scrivener
Accurate Aussie is winless outside of his homeland. Missed cut on Open debut last year. Dunhill Links results of 51-47-24-61-MC.
Webb Simpson
The 2012 US Open champion has slipped outside the world’s top 50 in recent weeks. Zero top-tens in nine Open starts. Tied 40th in only previous St Andrews Open.
Cameron Smith
Sawgrass glory in March was followed by bold Masters bid, but the Australian found water at the 12th hole on the Sunday to end hopes. Humdrum Open record (MC-78-20-33) and making St Andrews debut, but must be respected.
Jordan Smith
Strong ball-striker who has got stuck on one DP World Tour title. Missed cut in only previous Open. Turns 30 in November. Dunhill form of MC-32-5-MC.
Jordan Spieth
Three-time Major champion, including the 2017 Open. Tied fourth in the 2015 Open at St Andrews, missing out on the playoff by a shot. Has never missed cut in the Open (44-36-4-30-1-9-20-2).
Henrik Stenson
Tied third in the 2010 Open at St Andrews, but a fading force aged 46. Tied 37th of 50 in the JP McManus Pro-Am, then missed cut in Scottish Open, so last week’s warm-up events went poorly.
Sepp Straka
Austrian made his PGA Tour breakthrough in Honda Classic in February, but has badly lost form in recent weeks, missing the cut in Scottish Open last week. Open debut aged 30.
Sahith Theegala
Gained entry to field when Daniel Berger withdrew injured on Friday. Theegala was second in the Travelers Championship the week before last, carding double-bogey at 72nd hole. Open debut.
Justin Thomas
Tied sixth in JP McManus Pro-Am last week, then missed cut by seven shots in Scottish Open. Two-time US PGA champ with poor Open record (53-MC-MC-11-40). St Andrews Open debut. Missed cut in only Dunhill.
Cameron Tringale
Early pacesetter in Scottish Open last week, but wait for first Tour title continued for Californian who turns 35 next month. Zero top-tens in 15 Major starts. Open form of MC-58-26.
Harold Varner
Popular Ohio man playing third Open (66-MC). Zero top-20s in his 11 Majors. St Andrews debut.
Erik van Rooyen
Out-of-sorts South African missed the cut in Scottish Open last week. Has missed the cut in his last six Majors.
Lars van Meijel
A 28-year-old Dutchman who has won once on the Challenge Tour. Outside the world’s top 500. Major debut.
Scott Vincent
Zimbabwean is a three-time Japan Tour winner, who made his Asian Tour breakthrough last month. Major debut this week for LIV Golf defector.
Lee Westwood
The 2003 Dunhill Links champion was runner-up in the 2010 Open at St Andrews. Slipped outside world’s top 50 in March, then joined LIV Golf. Struggling for form. Turns 50 in April.
Bernd Wiesberger
Another LIV Golf defector. Zero top-tens in 29 Majors. Has been unimpressive all season.
Danny Willett
Tied sixth in 2015 Open at St Andrews, then won Dunhill Links Championship last year. Missed cut by seven shots in Scottish Open last week.
Aaron Wise
The 2018 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year has played some decent golf in recent weeks. Zero top-tens in ten Major starts. St Andrews debut.
Alex Wrigley
The 32-year-old Englishman, a shock qualifier, will have his wife – Tour player Johanna Gustavsson – caddying for his Open debut.
Gary Woodland
The 2019 US Open victor will bid to improve on a dismal Open record (30-34-39-58-12-70-67-MC-MC). Tied tenth in the US Open.
Tiger Woods
Living legend who won by eight shots in the 2000 Open at St Andrews, then by five in 2005. Seven over par (39th of 50 runners) in JP McManus Pro-Am last week, though, and has well documented fitness issues aged 46.
Brandon Wu
Californian dude tied sixth in the Scottish Open on Sunday to secure last-gasp ticket to St Andrews. Talented youngster playing in second Open after missing the cut in 2019.
Cameron Young
Open debutant who missed the cut by ten shots in the Scottish Open last week. Tied third in the US PGA in May, but badly lacking links experience.
Will Zalatoris
Californian dropped four shots in final four holes to miss cut by two in Scottish Open last week. Great 2022 Majors record (6-2-2). Carded a 69 in first Open round last year, before withdrawing with back injury.
Fabrizio Zanotti
Paraguayan plodder finished fourth in the Irish Open the week before last to earn St Andrews gig. Has missed the cut in his two previous Opens.
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