Woods will be missed

Without the undisputed best golfer on the planet taking part, this year's British Open at Royal Birkdale is as open an event as there has been for some time.

Tiger Woods spectre will hang over the tournament even though he is recuperating from his knee surgery back in the states as whoever wins this year's event will always know that Woods was not in the field.

Not that it should matter in reality as I am sure the South African cricket team is not thinking if they win the series against England it will be dented by Andrew Flintoff not taking part but such is Woods dominance it will always be a factor to some onlookers.

It does though leave a great opportunity for the rest of the golfing world to win a major they might normally be pipped at the post for.

Of these men it is Sergio Garcia who is attracting most interest and should he go one better than last year's play off defeat it would complete an astonishing month for Spanish sport after the success of the football team and tennis star Nadal in major competitions.

He certainly has the game for it as the course will be set up with severe rough and his straight driving, maybe the best in the world, will stand him in good stead.

If his putting stands up to the final day pressure then it would be no surprise to see him lift the trophy on Sunday evening and he will finally lose his 'best player never to win a major' tag.

This title was previously held by Colin Montgomerie but his form has been patchy and only his most loyal supporters and romantic fans can see him being successful this time.

Ernie Els has the links form and Phil Mickelson has the talent to do well but they have both struggled to make the appropriate impact in recent Majors to be favourites. They do though have the most presence of the remaining field and this can often be the deciding factor when the final nine holes are being played and it is tight at the top of the leaderboard.

Americans often do well at Birkdale because of all the Links courses this has the most receptive greens which suits their style of play and it would be no surprise to see an in-form player from the US Tour do well.

Hunter Mahon is a solid choice out of these players and an improving record over the past three Opens means he is getting used to the conditions, which is essential for success.

After Harrington's victory last year breaking a long European losing run in Majors, confidence will be high of a repeat success but many of them are still to prove they can cope with the pressure of these events.

Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose all have the ability but until they make the breakthrough then it is probably wise to look elsewhere. It is difficult to find the exact reason why they have not done it yet but it does indicate how difficult it is to win a major.

The weather will also play its part and if the rain stays away and the wind blows the course will play dry and fast making it a true links challenge.

A winning score of five or six under would be likely and saving Par will be as important as birdies this week. This is the mental aspect of seaside golf and players who are suspect in this area often find the challenge too much - finding themselves unable to come back from successive bogeys, or something similar.

It is also not unusual to get a rank outsider making his big breakthrough at these events such as Todd Hamilton from America who managed to keep it together and hold off Tiger Woods on the last day.

This year may provide the same - but identifying which golfer will find form from no where is an impossible task.

My idea of the winner outside the usual suspects is Romero from Argentina who has posted excellent scores at previous opens only to falter at the last hurdle. His putting at times can be mesmeric and iron game is more than enough to get him into position to utilise this skill.

With a bit of luck this talented golfer may well find himself lifting the Claret Jug on Sunday night and try telling him that it does not mean as much just because Tiger Woods is not taking part.