10 Best Chances a U.K. Native Captures the 2010 Open Championship Title

The 2010 British Open returns to the historic St. Andrews course in Scotland. Americans Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are the top favorites to win.

Englishman and four-time Open champion Nick Faldo strolls the course above in preparation for this year's Open. He's hoping for another winner from the U.K. to keep the Claret Jug trophy at home.

Hopes are high in the U.K after Padraig Harrington's 2007 and 2008 wins. I will preview the U.K natives with the best chances in 2010.

Number 10. Simon Dyson

Listed in local papers as at 80-1, Dyson's highest British Open championship performance was 34th in 2005.

Number 9. Chris Wood

Chris Wood has flirted with the leader board in the last two championships. He finished 5th in 2008 as an amateur and 3rd in 2009. Local odds are putting his chances at 50-1 for this year's Open.

Number 8. Luke Donald

Luke Donald has significant experience in the Open. His highest performance came last year with a 5th place finish. However, Donald finished a stunning 52nd the last time the Open was at St. Andrews. Local odds makers place him at 33-1 for the 2010 Open.

Number 7. Paul Casey

In 2008 Paul Casey saw his highest finish in the Open Championship, at 7th. He hasn't had much success at St. Andrews–finishing 123 in 2005. He's put at 28-1 for the 2010 Open.

Number 6. Ian Poulter

Ian Poulter is coming off a strong performance in the U.S. Open. His highest finish in the British Open was 2nd in 2008. The last time St. Andrew's hosted the Open, Poulter finished 11th. Odd makers have him at 28-1 in 2010.

5. Justin Rose

Justin Rose is coming off his first, two wins in the U.S. Success in the British Open has been slow after his debut in 1998 where he came in 4th as an amateur. Rose did not compete in 2000 or 2005, the last two times the Open has been held at St. Andrews. Odds makers put him at 25-1 for 2010.

4. Graeme McDowell

Graeme McDowell returns to the Open now with his first major under his belt, the 2010 U.S. Open championship. His highest finish in the British Open is 11th in 2005. He likes the St. Andrews course and will be looking win back-to-back major championships.

3. Padraig Harrington

Padraig Harrington won over the hearts of many in Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom after his back-to-back British Open championships in 2007 and 2008. His highest finish at St. Andrews is 20th in the 2000 Open. Despite fighting through a recent slump, he's been placed at 20-1 for the 2010 Open.

2. Lee Westwood

Lee Westwood had his highest Open championship finish last year when he came in 3rd. But despite his superb play in 2009, Westwood, has not done well at St. Andrews– finishing 81st in 2005 and 64th in 2000. Nevertheless, he is placed at 18-1 to get his first major at this year's championship.

Number 1. Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy captures the imagination and spirit of the fans in Britain. Due to his young age, he has no previous Open experience at St. Andrews and has never finished higher than 47th in the British Open. However, his appeal and talent make him the favorite for a United Kingdom golfer to win the 2010 Open at 16-1 odds.