British Open: Adam Scott, Shane Lowry and the surprise packages to watch for at Royal Portrush

A look ahead at who could be a surprise contender at the event in Northern Ireland, which begins on Thursday

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  Adam Scott. The Australian, for some time recognised as one of the game’s most talented players, has been enjoying a resurgence in form following a sustained dip. Scott has not finished worse than tied-17th in his past five starts, which include a tied-8th at the PGA Championship and tied-7th at the US Open. The 2013 Masters champion is proving his major pedigree once more. He really should have a Claret Jug already after letting one slip in 2012 - finished runner-up that year - and has four top 10s in his past seven Open starts. Arrived last week at Portrush, so knows the layout better than most. Reuters

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  Matt Kuchar. The American, 41, is playing arguably the best golf of his career this season, with two wins and a runner-up finish among five top 10s in his past nine starts. And he clearly loves not only the Open, but links golf, too. Kuchar was ninth at Carnoustie last year and would have had a Claret Jug in the cabinet a year earlier if Jordan Spieth had not exploded into life down the stretch at Royal Birkdale. Was tied-20th last week at the Scottish Open and already has a top-10 at a major this season (tied-8th PGA Championship). AP Photo

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  Shane Lowry. The Irishman does not share the profile of the other “home” favourites this week, but could ensure the Claret Jug stays on the island. Lowry got back into the winner’s circle, finally, earlier this year in Abu Dhabi, and has since finished tied-3rd at the RBC Heritage, tied-8th at the PGA Championship and runner-up to Rory McIlroy in Canada. Missed the cut at the past four Opens, but that was when his game was in the doldrums. Has the tools to contend this week - quite brilliant short game - and fond memories of Portrush: he won the North of Ireland amateur there in 2008. Reuters

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  Patrick Cantlay. The American has been in scintillating form these past few months, with three successive top 10s and a win – at Memorial - in his past six starts. Indeed, he has not finished outside the top 25 in any event since March. Cantlay performed well on Open debut last year, coming home tied-12th at Carnoustie, and at this year's majors has a tied-9th at the Masters, tied-3rd at the PGA Championship and tied-21st at last month’s US Open - seriously impressive. Statistically, he is the all-round package, and his expert scrambling will no doubt help around Royal Portrush. AP Photo

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  Marc Leishman. The Australian has for some time proved his liking for the links, with his play-off defeat at the 2015 Open the closest he has come to nabbing the Claret Jug. Patently, Leishman loves the tournament: he is one of only four golfers with three or more top 10s in the past five tournaments. In fact, he has three top sixes. Plus, in 17 starts on PGA Tour this season, he has one win and five top fives. Has struggled somewhat in the majors though – tied-35th at US Open his best display – but the man who grew up on Melbourne's famous sand-belt courses is a different beast come Open time. AFP

The 148th British Open tees off at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland on Thursday, with golf’s oldest major returning there for the first time in 68 years.

Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and home favourite Rory McIlroy are all expected to contend for the title over the four days of action.

We look at five guys outside the favourites who could secure the season’s fourth and final major. And, with it, the famous Claret Jug.

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