ESPN.com - Golf Online - British Open 2000

By Greg Robertson
ESPN Golf Online
Wednesday, July 19

1. Lee Westwood

Best finish: 10th, 1997

Last five Opens: 1999: T18; 1998: T64; 1997: T10; 1996: Cut; 1995: T96

Comment: While Tiger Woods and Colin Montgomerie carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, Westwood could slip by the field. He's won three times in his last five starts, including a win over Woods in Germany, and has played the best among the top Europeans in recent majors.

2. Ernie Els

Best finish: 2nd, 1996

Last five Opens: 1999: T24; 1998: T29; 1997: T10; 1996: T2; 1995: T11

Comment: Els is halfway home to a dubious honor, having finished second in both The Masters and U.S. Open. He came close to a British title in 1996, plays his best in the biggest events and is coming off a win at Loch Lomond.

3. Tiger Woods

Best finish: 3rd, 1998

Last five Opens: 1999: T7; 1998: 3; 1997: T24; 1996: T22; 1995: T68

Comment: There aren't enough adjectives to describe Woods, but he will be under the most pressure of his career. How patient he has become will be put to the test on the Old Course, where trouble awaits those who try to muscle the course.

4. Jim Furyk

Best finish: 4th, 1997 and 1998

Last five Opens: 1999: T10; 1998: T4; 1997: T4; 1996: T45; 1995: DNP

Comment: Furyk has become the most consistent player in major championships in recent years, and his closest calls have been at the British. His game is ready with two top-five finishes in his last two starts coming in.

5. Darren Clarke

Best finish: 2nd, 1997

Last five Opens: 1999: T30; 1998: Cut; 1997: T2; 1996: T11; 1995: T31

Comment: He leads the European Order of Merit this year and is having the best season of his career. He'll have fan support and has proven he can handle pressure by knocking off Woods in the World Match Play final.

6. Jesper Parnevik

Best finish: 2nd, 1994 and 1997

Last five Opens: 1999: T10; 1998: T4; 1997: T2; 1996: T45; 1995: T24

Comment: Nobody has played the British Open better the past six years without a win. He's played the best golf of his career this season, but a nagging hip injury could hold him back like it did at Pebble Beach.

7. Davis Love III

Best finish: 7th, 1999

Last five Opens: 1999: T7; 1998: 8; 1997: T10; 1996: Cut; 1995: T98

Comment: Love has top-10 finishes in each of the past three British Opens. His length will be a huge bonus at St. Andrews, but he must remember how to win -- something he hasn't done in 27 months.

8. Justin Leonard

Best finish: 1st, 1997

Last five Opens: 1999: T2; 1998: T57; 1997: 1; 1996: Cut; 1995: T58

Comment: His game hit a low point earlier this year, but the British Open brings out the best in him. He won in 1997, and had he known what Jean Van de Velde was about to do, could have played the 72nd hole safe last year and won again.

9. Vijay Singh

Best finish: 6th, 1995

Last five Opens: 1999: Cut; 1998: T19; 1997: T38; 1996: T11; 1995: T6

Comment: If the conditions get tough, Singh's chances greatly increase. That's what happened at Augusta earlier this year. Although he hasn't had great success in this event, he did tie for sixth the last time it was at St. Andrews.

10. Robert Allenby

Best finish: 10th, 1997

Last five Opens: 1999: DNP; 1998: T19; 1997: T10; 1996: T55; 1995: T15

Comment: A two-time winner on the PGA Tour this year, Allenby is no rookie. He tied for 15th at St. Andrews as a youngster in 1995 and has won 11 times around the world.

11: Colin Montgomerie: The best player in Europe playing in Scotland should be a favorite, but he has been a bust in British Opens.

12: Tom Lehman: The 1996 champion played well to start the 2000 season, and a second at Loch Lomond shows he is ready.

13: Notah Begay III: There's nobody hotter in golf, but his first British Open and St. Andrews are bound to create nerves.

14: Fred Couples: His game is looking sharper and he has seven top-10s through the years in this event.

15: Michael Campbell: Playing the best golf of his life. Took lead into final round at St. Andrews in 1995 before finishing third.

16: David Duval: Has shown no signs of being ready to win this event, although he certainly could bust through at any time.

17: Nick Price: The 1994 champion's game starting to look sharp with playoff loss at Western Open.

18: Phil Mickelson: Three wins this season and 16 for his career, but best finish in British is tie for 24th in 1997.

19: Miguel Angel Jimenez: Has never played well in this event, but game is sharp right now judging by tie for second at Pebble Beach.

20: Mark Brooks: Tied for third at St. Andrews in 1995 and tied for fifth a year later, but game is not sharp right now.