Dark Horse: Ryan Fox
The son of All Blacks legend Grant has had a fantastic year and has the height and birdie power to challenge this week.
Big name to miss the cut: Bryson DeChambeau
Hasn’t recovered well from wrist injury that required surgery a few months ago. In any case, he wasn’t convinced that the subtleties of the Old Course suited him.
Younger who could make a name for himself: Joaquin Niemann
A two-time PGA Tour winner, the game knows all about the 23-year-old from Chile. This fine ball striker could easily compete here and introduce himself to the world at large.
Oliver Brown
Winner and Winning Score: Jordan Spieth (-17)
A consummate links player whose golfing intelligence was encapsulated by his stunning breakaway at Birkdale’s 13th, from deep in the Southport dunes, on his way to his Open triumph in 2017. Here in St Andrews in 2015, he barely managed to earn his place. in a three-man play-off.
Dark Horse: Robert MacIntyre
The Oban native has been flying under the radar this week, despite top-10 placings in his two most recent Open appearances. Despite his suspicious form lately, he’s well placed to climb the standings if wind proves to be a factor.
Big name to miss the cut: Tiger Woods
Nostalgia has an almost numbing effect in golf, but the idea that Woods can compete, in his diminished physical state, feels preposterous. He is in so much discomfort that he even struggles to walk across the Swilken Bridge.