IN THE absence of Tiger Woods, this year's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale is wide open and could provide another shock winner to match the likes of Ben Curtis (2003) and Todd Hamilton (2004).
Here are six outsiders who could lift the Claret Jug on Sunday.
• ROSS FISHER
Missed the cut on his Open debut at Carnoustie last year after six failed attempts to qualify. Made it to Birkdale via the 36-hole qualifier at Sunningdale and c
onsidered pulling out of that week's European Open due to fatigue, but played the course 'blind' on the opening day, shot a course-record 63 and went on to win by seven shots from Sergio Garcia. Was also just two shots off the lead in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond on Sunday before a poor final round, but his powerful game will be a major asset if the wind blows.
Odds: 66-1
• RICHARD GREEN
Left-hander finished fourth last year after closing with a course-record equalling 64 at Carnoustie. One of the most consistent players on the European Tour, Green won his second tour title in Austria last year, ten years after beating Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam in a play-off at the Dubai Desert Classic. His straight driving will be vital around Birkdale.
Odds: 80-1
• CAMILO VILLEGAS
Has caused more of a stir off the course than on it so far, attracting plenty of young female fans and being named one of People magazine's 'Hottest Bachelors' in 2006. Has the talent to go with his good looks however, finishing ninth in the US Open at Torrey Pines and recording two other top-ten finishes on the US Tour this year. The 26-year-old from Medellin in Colombia is making his Open debut at Birkdale and could find the conditions tough to handle, but is making a conscious effort to have more fun on the course.
Odds: 100-1
• FREDRIK JACOBSON
Won three times on the European Tour in 2003 – including the season-ending Volvo Masters – and was unlucky not to make the Ryder Cup team in 2004, finishing one place outside the automatic qualifiers on both points lists and being overlooked for a wild card. Switched to the US Tour from 2004 and now looks to be getting back to his best, losing in a play-off in Open international final qualifying but finishing second in the AT&T National the following week to claim the exempt spot on offer.
Odds: 100-1
• OLIVER WILSON
Second four times on the European Tour this season, including at the flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth where he was unfortunate to lose out in a play-off to Miguel Angel Jimenez. Such consistency has seen him rise to fifth on the Order of Merit, 45th on the world rankings and on target for a Ryder Cup debut in September. Finished a creditable 36th in the US Open recently. Missed the cut on his Open debut last year, but has good experience of links golf from his amateur career, which was capped with a Walker Cup victory in 2003.
Odds: 100-1
• SOREN HANSEN
Bizarrely forgot to enter the Open last year, but was eighth at Muirfield in 2002 and has been enjoying a hugely consistent season. Five top-ten finishes and his victory in the Mercedes-Benz Championship last year have given the Dane a great chance of making his Ryder Cup debut in September. The 34-year-old is an accurate iron player.
Odds: 100-1
