Disappointed to backpedal early on in the final round of the US Open held close to his home, but rallied well for seventh and loved every minute of being roared on by the crowds there. Was the best iron player in the field and again hit it well at the Travelers, while there are clear indications he's putting better than he has in some time. All likely to add up to more challenges but struggled here in 2015 and does hit a bit of a moon ball. Two top-20s in three elsewhere is good Open form, though.
Highly promising amateur who is in the early stages of his college career at the famed Stanford University. Grew up playing at The Hallamshire which is back in the headlines for the right reasons after Matt Fitzpatrick's US Open win, which Brown soon followed by bossing his qualifier. Bright future.
Big-hitting South African with plenty of ability and a record at the Old Course which reflects his overall improvement. Struggled here at first, including when shooting 80, but is 19-under for his last four rounds here in the Dunhill Links. This will be a much more serious test but in the right conditions you could see him being competitive, especially after a fabulous driving performance in Germany. Expect some good and some bad.
Top-class under familiar conditions as he's shown with four wins on the PGA Tour in less than 15 months, and starting to translate it to majors having been 20th in the PGA and a contending 27th in the US Open. Those on at fancy prices for this can take encouragement from a top-20 finish in last year's Scottish Open, which he followed with a low-key Open debut which at least saw him make the weekend. Throws in a few off-weeks but if he's on, no reason he can't go really well.
New Zealander who was a world-class amateur but has suffered all kinds of injury woe since turning professional, including an 18-month absence following hip surgery. Still has high hopes and looks to be playing some of the best golf of his career right now, albeit still way off this level.
Did well enough on his last Open start, shooting a final-round 68 for 37th place at Birkdale. Massively improved in the interim but without having really shown himself to be a proper links golfer, with his powerful, accurate driving and iffy short-game making him more likely to compete on parkland courses. Hard to get a handle on his form given he's been playing 54-hole LIV events, which also denied him a proper prep in Scotland.
Accurate sort who was still an amateur when finishing a superb 12th here in 2015. Gets back in thanks to the Joburg Open last year but it's been a generally quiet run since for all his best golf has come under links-like conditions in the Netherlands.
Runner-up in the Korean Open who has been around for more than a decade without ever really threatening to be good enough for this.
Momentarily one of the least popular Open champions in history having kicked away Tom Watson's cane in 2009. Has more recently enjoyed a late-career renaissance with his son on the bag and it includes bits and pieces of major form and was fourth after an opening 66 last year. Decent enough St Andrews record so could make the weekend and perhaps threaten the top 30, a mark he's reached nine times in 22 appearances.
Remains a bit of a talent unfulfilled and iron play isn't often of the standards required to be consistently competitive at the highest level. Lacks links experience, too, though did refer to his appearance in the Amateur Championship at Portrush upon qualifying via the Canadian Open. Says he loves this style of golf and that kind of attitude can go a long way, just like his drives.
Fabulous 2011 winner at St George's and though unable to make the weekend in this since 2016, did light up Portrush for a while. St Andrews record includes two top-10 finishes back in the day and he's very comfortable at the Old Course, but eyes on the Senior British Open really.
Ticking along nicely all year but hasn't had a chance to win in an age. In fact, you can argue that his last such opportunity came in last year's Open Championship, when he sat fourth through 54 holes after a fabulous 66 in round three. That was just his second crack at this and though he faded to finish 15th, better may yet be to come. Flushed it for two days at the US Open but departed early because his short-game was very poor, which would be a worry here particularly if the wind blows.
Wild Thing won his second major here in 1995 and showed in 2010 that he can still score at the Old Course when he opened with a six-under 66. Health issues are a big problem these days but bagged his first top-10 finish in more than a year on the Champions Tour last month.
I'll be honest, I didn't know whether to put him in this section, or under L, or under S. But with a black belt in tang soo do, it's fair to say if this Philippines golfer gets in touch I will move as per his request.
Rewind to his major-winning 2020 campaign and those Bay Hill exploits the following spring, and you'd have found plenty – myself included – willing to speculate that he could tear St Andrews apart. Certainly there are at least four par-fours he could reach off the tee and that alone marks him down as a fascinating candidate. On the other hand, he's been garbage this year, probably still isn't fit, and might be too focused on growing the game to really achieve something that might actually grow the game. Favourite course? Birkdale. Favourite county? Berkshire. Berk.
One of the best maidens on the DP World Tour and came closest when losing a Scottish Open play-off last summer. No wonder he missed the cut in this just days later but hopes of doing better this time undermined by a generally quiet year. Doesn't have much of a Dunhill Links record and best St Andrews round in that far easier event is 68 from six spins.
Qualified for the third time and will be having his second crack at St Andrews, although he's played here plenty in the Dunhill Links (without breaking 70 at the Old Course in any recent visit). Dead-eye putter, perhaps because he's benefited from the world-leading ophthalmology resources in Barnard Castle.
Veteran Welshman who won the Senior British Open last year to earn a return to this for the first time in 16 years. MC at St Andrews in 2005.
Ex-Ryder Cup hero who has played some good golf since the summer of 2020, and much of it close to home. That includes last week's Scottish Open top-10 to earn a seventh Open start, with 49th place here in 2015 among his better efforts.
Finished 11th here in the 2000 Open Championship and shot a third-round 67 back here in 2015. Struggling on the Champions Tour while he pursues a promising broadcasting career.
Won his two Opens a decade apart, in 2002 and 2012, but hopes of a remarkable hat-trick in 2022 are close to zero.
Back from injury this summer and hasn't taken him long to get the putter rolling, which was enough for a welcome top-20 finish when defending his Travelers title. Did OK here in 2015 and one of those you could see enjoying an Open if at his best, but wild driving, poor approach play and a lack of sharpness all suggest he'll be drowning his sorrows on Friday night. What a place to do it.
Welshman who has been around a while now but at last gets his first Open Championship start after scraping through on a tough day at Hollinwell.
Argentine Open winner last year and earlier in his career beat the likes of Corey Conners, Joel Dahmen and Mito Pereira when winning PGA LatinoAmerica titles. Former Junior World Golf Championship winner who has a bit about him without looking likely to show much here.
Four times he's played in Scotland and four times he's finished in the top 20, including on his 2016 Open debut (18th) and when ninth at Carnoustie. Since then, two Dunhill Links appearances have helped him gather some experience of the Old Course and you suspect he already loves it, as well he should. All four rounds here solid, a 66 on his last visit better than that, and his blend of power, major form and links comfort mark him down as a big player.
US Open champion having hit a shot which will go down in history on his way to a one-stroke win over two of the best players on the planet. That came after he'd contended for the US PGA and was the culmination of a years-long run of steady improvement, supplemented by some very hard work in the gym to ensure he wasn't getting left behind off the tee. One of the most all-round players in the sport as a result and has already set his sights on six majors, itself an indication that he's not one to rest on his laurels. Not the best record here in the Dunhill Links but will much prefer a tougher set-up and has to be respected. Regardless, that brief moment when he looked over at Billy Foster will be hard for the sport to top, even here.
Decent Australian who won the Queensland PGA back in January but qualified when finishing second in May's Mizuno Open.
Disappointed when in the mix for the US Open and it's been a bit of a head-scratching year, with another low-grade PGA Tour win not to be sniffed at but performances when it matters most leaving plenty to be desired. Still one of the best couple of players in the world and progressive Open record has seen him hang around on the fringes in each of the last two renewals. Should enjoy St Andrews and wouldn't dwell too much on his 73 there in the 2019 Dunhill Links, albeit he was in red-hot form at the time. Main issue is that his approach play and short-game have been a fair bit below what we've come to expect.
Made a nice Saturday move here in 2015 and has four good Open tries to his name, most recently when 10th under difficult conditions at Portrush. Short-game skills a big weapon and knows all about playing in the wind, but have to be concerned as to the overall quality of his performances before joining LIV. Biggest issue probably driver but approach play and even putting have also been troublesome and he has no high-class form to speak of in over a year, although his wife says the 2018 Masters champion and father of two has never been happier, which is either a lie or desperately sad.
Sixth place here in 2015 was his first Open top-10 since he famously finished fourth as an amateur in 1998. Since then has made all five cuts including when charging from the cut-line to second place at Carnoustie, and was in the mix at Portrush before another fast start at Royal St George's. More recently, missed a great chance to shoot 59 in Canada before finishing mid-pack in the US Open, and no doubt remains frustrated he can't quite piece things together. Is the type to raise his game for majors though.
Won the EuroPro Tour Championship last year to get back to the Challenge Tour, where he made a bright start to the year but has since been struggling a little. Knows about fighting in the face of adversity having fractured his spine in February 2016 yet come through Qualifying School less than a year later. Plays out of Knebworth and is freeee-eeee to be whatever heeeee... etc.
Slightly fortunate to win the Travelers Championship but that was technically three wins since he last played in the Open, first in Tokyo, then in a pairs event, and finally ending a long drought in 'proper' PGA Tour events, and he's since added the JP McManus Pro-Am (definitely not counting) and the Scottish Open (definitely am counting). Yet to miss an Open cut, his best effort when second having led through 54 holes in 2018, and closed with a 65 at Royal St George's, so as the form player merits enormous respect. Not sure he's the right second-favourite but we've already had one major won by the hottest player around this year and another would be no surprise.
Breakout star of 2022 and very much the best player in the world over the last six months, a period in which not only has he won four times, but he so easily could've won four more. That includes the US Open where twice he threatened to burst clear and make it his own only to fall back into the pack and eventually come up just short, and when clumsily losing a play-off at Colonial, an event which means a lot to him. Only failures since January have come when on the wrong side of the draw so will be sweating over tee-times but otherwise boasts an outstanding chance having been eighth on his Open debut last year.
One of many who will feel they ought to have won this seven years ago: he was beaten five shots in 10th, having played the last five holes in five-over. Woof. Whether it has anything to do with such a downfall, he's not since been a threat in the Open, but rounds of 66 and 68 last year and a closing 67 in 2017 remind us how effective a links golfer he can be. Each-way threat if getting his driver back in tune and not weeping when he turns for home and all those memories come flooding back.
Capable operator at a lower level but yet to win on the DP World Tour, his latest experience of contending seeing him left for dead by the brilliant Linn Grant in Sweden.
Back from injury with some solid efforts this spring as he seeks a return to the world's top 50, where he's spent much of the last decade or so. Was on the decline when 40th here in 2015 and has a really solid Open record, making eight of nine cuts without yet cracking the top 10. First-round leader punters note he's placed in that market three times and he's pinged the lids a couple of times recently, but I'd probably be inclined to say he'll struggle to break 70 all week.
Very much one of the stars of the early-season, first winning the Tournament of Champions and then defying some wayward drives to capitalise on a good draw at Sawgrass. Spurned two good major opportunities along the way, finishing third in the Masters and then 13th despite an awful putting display in the US PGA, before a disappointing June which included a missed cut in the US Open. I take the view that event doesn't suit him one bit whereas St Andrews just might based on correlations with his beloved Augusta, while his Open record elsewhere shows steady progress and a couple of sneaky efforts the last twice. Chance if back on-song.
Finding it hard to get that overdue second win and it's now five years since his first, so has to go down as frustrating given his quality and consistency. One of the very best ball-strikers on the DP World Tour and more assured on the greens at the moment, so a second win should be a formality and maybe this year. Six rounds at the Old Course and he's yet to shoot worse than level par, but all in the Dunhill Links and is hardly one you'd call a links specialist.
Fourth here in 2015 when seeking the third leg of the grand slam, which he came agonisingly close to securing. Was at the top of the sport at the time but no surprise he's since become an Open champion, winning a dramatic renewal in trademark fashion at Birkdale before his game left him for a couple of years. Return to form was cemented when runner-up to Morikawa and while still not the player he was seven years ago, his Open record is fabulous: eight appearances, eight cuts made, a win and three further top-10s. It all really started here at the Old Course and he'll be popular after showing further evidence of how the links brings him to life in last week's Scottish Open.
Inspired winner in 2016, getting the better of Mickelson in a duel for the ages at Troon. That was his fourth top-three finish in his last eight Opens and if he is to get competitive in any major it'll surely be this one. Form at St Andrews is strong, with 34th, third and 40th in this, and some hints of form lately including in his native Sweden. All at a far lower level than this, though.
Honda Classic winners always respected given that tough event's rich history of throwing up major champions. That said, form since April has been poor, his long-game is in a bad place, and it'll be disappointing if he's the best Austrian here.
One of a strong crop of PGA Tour rookies and would probably be standout among them had he won the Travelers, where his 18th hole double-bogey left the way clear for Xander Schauffele. Here's a thing: had he won the Phoenix Open in February, again making a late mistake when bang in the mix, Scottie Scheffler wouldn't have. And then maybe Scheffler wouldn't have gone on to win at Bay Hill, and the Match Play, and Augusta. If Schauffele wins, fans of the film Sliding Doors might argue and with some merit that Theegala was the most influential player of 2022 when it comes to the outcome of majors. What a sport.
Striking scoring average above comes from one round at the 2013 Dunhill Links when in the earliest stages of his career. Has since gone all the way to the top and though the cards fell his way at the PGA Championship, he hit some brilliant shots down the stretch and was a worthy champion. Kept his iron play firing through mid-pack US Open finish and has all the shots despite still seeking his first Open top-10. Worth noting he did start well in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and in 2019 he finished well for 11th. Remain convinced he'll work it out and like many a similar player in the past, could well be St Andrews proves as suitable as he hinted it was all those years ago. Like the fact he went to Ireland to prepare. Can he follow the Stewart Cink path from Lahinch to the Claret Jug?
Longstanding PGA Tour maiden who made a good fist of things in his first Open start for six years when 26th last summer. Made the cut comfortably here in 2015 but is an unspectacular golfer who so often isn't able to produce his best golf when he'd most like to. Putter could carry him far enough but unlikely to match 14th place in last month's US Open.
Neat Dutchman with a compact swing and very capable at his level, which he's demonstrated a few times on the Challenge Tour this year. Qualified at Fairmont St Andrews and will be making his major debut.
Averages 72 at the Old Course. Nothing to see here. Except his last two rounds have been 81 and 64, latterly making it look a bit of a doddle in the Dunhill Links three years ago. Has plenty of links form elsewhere, too, but short-game issues remain a big concern and explain a run of poor form which goes back a few months now. Pops up out of the blue mind.
Produced one of the moments of the year so far** when holing a monster eagle putt to win the Saudi International, which means this longtime PGA Tour winner has won on the Asian and European equivalents but never his own patch. Had another handful of chances since including when leading through 54 holes of the Heritage and then when carding a final-round 78 in Texas, all adding to his reputation as one who can't get out of his own way when it matters. Would say it'll happen for him one day, but that's rather dependent on remaining a PGA Tour member.
Back-to-back winner at the start of June and that's five wins in his last 70-odd starts for a player who was promising at college once. Zimbabwean will be making his first appearance in Scotland as well as in a major.
Probably bidding farewell to the Old Course here as his exemption for winning the 2016 US PGA expires after this week. Played well here for 30th in 2015 but career derailed by Lyme disease together with other fitness problems. In fact given we've not seen him since April, those on the alternates list will be hopeful.
Indignant ex-world number one whose first major top-10 came in this event 25 years ago. Went on to bag five top-five finishes, including runner-up here in 2010, though best chance came in 2013 when leading during the final round. Not much more than a year since he was going close in elite company and finished 14th in the Masters this year, but hopes of emulating Darren Clarke and winning this late in his career seem pretty slim.
Relentlessly good ball-striking throughout his career but the last few seasons have seen his game go up a level, notably when winning winning three times in 2019. That run included a Scottish Open which he followed with 32nd place at Portrush, which to date is his best result in seven Open Championship appearances. Won't surprise you that he ranked third for GIR here in 2015 but could only finish 68th and hasn't been a frequent starter in the Dunhill Links, his strong record in that event also representing some dated form. That said, 15 rounds at the Old Course so far and he's yet to shoot over-par.
Masters champion who has a strong Open record, first finishing 15th in 2013, then sixth here two years later, and since making every cut including another top-10 finish at Portrush. Everything he does these days says he's unreliable at a lower level but dangerous at this one, and backers at big prices have got more than a run for their money not just at Portrush but also at St George's and Carnoustie either side. Played in the final group for round three back in 2015 (note: another subsequent major winner who got a feel for it) and has of course won at the Old Course in the Dunhill Links where he's picked up stacks of experience, so at three-figure prices it could absolutely pay to ignore his week-to-week performances.
Still on one PGA Tour win but plenty to suggest a second is coming, with four top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this season including a fine second at the Memorial. Top-30s in both major starts too and this Honda Classic runner-up has a decent game for St Andrews, which means I expect him to at least match his share of 41st on Open debut at Portrush. Dark horse.
Famed for his stinger and acts well in the wind without yet having appeared an Open champion in the making. Still, made his first seven cuts in the event and returns now in better overall form than he has been for a little while, and no doubt buoyed by a welcome piece of top-class form when 10th in the US Open. Best driver in the field there for his fifth top-10 of the PGA Tour season and continues to look like he's ready to win again. All eyes on Lowry among the 2019 major crop seeking to end a three-year drought, but wouldn't totally discount Woodland beating him to it.
All other scoring averages in this feature relate to rounds played from 2010 onwards, but for the greatest of all time we'll make an exception: Woods has played in four Opens here as a professional and boasts a sub-70 scoring average, despite shooting 76 and 75 when last here in 2015. That's because he won here by eight shots at the height of his powers back in 2000, and by five when returning in 2005. It's no wonder that it's the Old Course rather than Augusta which he calls his favourite in the world, and this has been his target since somehow hauling himself back to a version of fitness following last year's car crash. Woods loves the strategic challenge of St Andrews and so he should as the finest shot-maker of his generation, so it's going to be a real treat to see him tackle it again. Winning seems an absurd thought but his pride and bloody-mindedness may well carry him through to the weekend.
Best known for his coaching work including with girlfriend and LET player Johanna Gustavsson. Still the second-best player from Hartlepool, or so you'd think, and is already something of an Open story having got the better of two-time DP World Tour winner Aaron Rai in a play-off at Final Qualifying.
Sneaks in after a 10-foot par save on the final hole of the Scottish Open. That was the second time he'd qualified for an Open Championship, the first coming courtesy of 36 holes at nearby Fairmont St Andrews, and he continues to demonstrate a level of comfort by the coast. Promising future remains.
Breakout PGA Tour star this year having tamed his wildness and become one of the very best drivers on the planet. Form has nevertheless cooled since third place in the US PGA and lacks links experience. Suspect he'll make an eagle two along the way but too many mistakes alongside it.
Very difficult to do justice to the absurdity of his professional career so far. I mean, he's not won at PGA Tour level, and yet has been second in three majors. He's a statistically and visually awful putter, and yet for four weeks a year seems to become deadly. He was a PGA Tour rookie of the year who wasn't allowed to play in the PGA Tour's end-of-year play-offs during that campaign. It's all very, very silly, but hopefully for poor Zalatoris things even themselves out and he wins his first top-tier event, perhaps on the biggest stage of all. Wouldn't put it past him and remember he had started well when forced to withdraw from last year's Open debut through injury. Could he be a reverse Louis Oosthuizen, who won this in 2010 and then kept finishing second?
Three birdies over the final four holes of the Irish Open to ensure Zalatoris doesn't prop up the profiles again. Fab.