2010 British Open Top Contenders

The PGA tour descents upon St. Andrews, Scotland this week, 156 golfers will be attempting to be named champion at the 139^th British Open. In the past this Major tournament has proven that it will take more than talent to win this major championship.

Here are four golfers who have the best chance of bringing home the claret jug and earning the $1.3 million winner's purse.

2010 British Open Contender - Tiger Woods

Over the past 100 years, there have been only two players who have earned two career victories at the British Open victory at St. Andrews; Jack Nicklaus and Tigers Woods. Though Woods won the British Open during the last time it was played at St. Andrews, things have not gone as smoothly for him.

Since returning to the course from his personal troubles, Woods has performed below his standards, except for his performance at the Masters and the U.S. Open Championship. A victory here would help Woods become the first player to earn three victories at St. Andrews.

2010 British Open Contender - Ernie Els

When it comes to players on a hot streak, Els is currently at the top of his list. So far in 2010, Els has earned a championship at the WGC-CA Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational to go along with strong performances at the Masters and the U.S. Open.

Els came in under par during his three career appearances at the British Open in St. Andrews, but never getting closer than a runner-up to the claret jug in 2000. If he can continue his hot hand, Els has the chance to come away with his second British Open victory.

2010 British Open Contender - Justin Rose

One of the younger players to keep an eye on during the 2010 British Open is Rose, who has been on fire as of late. In his last nine rounds, he has been atop the leader board seven times. This will be the first time Rose will be participating in the British Open at St Andrews after he failed to qualify twice before.

If Rose can continue to build upon his success in 2010, he has the chance to add his name to the record books and take home a claret jug to mark his first Major tournament victory.

2010 British Open Contender - Stewart Cink

Last year Cink made headlines when he came away with a four hole playoff victory over Tom Watson. Even though he had won the first Major of his career, there were some who made Cink into a villain for knocking out the elder statesmen of golf, Watson, out of the tournament.

Cink would like to repeat as the British Open champion but will have to work his way through a tough field to earn the claret jug. Through the first part of the year, Cink has not earned a championship and has performed less than stellar at U.S. Open where he earned a 40^th place finish.

You can catch all the coverage from Thursday to Sunday for the 2010 British Open on ESPN.

Resources

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