Looking past overriding favourites Jordan Spieth and Louis Oosthuizen, John McAuley puts his already questionable reputation on the line with five picks for the Open Championship at St Andrews, which starts Thursday.
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Tommy Fleetwood
A little left-field maybe, but the young Englishman’s recent record at the Old Course is unrivalled. Has competed in the Alfred Dunhill four times, posting three top-five finishes, including coming home runner-up there last year. He is 26-under for his past four rounds there. Relatively untested in majors, but Fleetwood should still fancy his chances. A top 10 in Scotland last week proves he is on his game.
Branden Grace
Superb at last month’s US Open until his tee shot on the 16th on Sunday derailed his chances. The South African is a links specialist with a low ball-flight, so can tackle the wind, while he won the 2012 Alfred Dunhill, which featured two rounds at St Andrews. He has another good thing going for him this week; caddie Zack Rasego carried the bag for Louis Oosthuizen’s victory at St Andrews in 2010.
Martin Kaymer
The German has not enjoyed the best of spells after last season’s brilliant double at the Players and then the US Open. However, St Andrews is his favourite course and it is easy to see why: Kaymer won the 2010 Alfred Dunhill to become the first man in 21 years to clinch three consecutive European Tour events. Fourth last week in France, he has had the perfect preparation for a better finish this time.
Paul Casey
Strange that a player of his talent has not achieved more, but Casey has been affected by injuries and personal problems. Finally healthy, and happy at home, his golf has been steadily improving: he has twice this year lost in play-offs – most recently at the Travelers two weeks ago. He also contested the final group of the 2010 Open around St Andrews and should be thereabouts again.
Henrik Stenson
The giant Swede is too good not to add a major to his already impressive CV and this week he has as good a chance as any. He loves links golf and likes St Andrews, having finished third at the 2010 Open. He put some early season struggles behind him at the BMW International Open to finally find form and finish second. If his putting holds up, he will contend.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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