British Open Field 2012: Unknowns Who Could Challenge for Open Championship

The 2012 British Open is less than 72 hours away and the field is heating up. From the stars like Tiger Woods to the comeback kings such as Vijay Singh, we're in store for a tournament of big names and even bigger opportunities.

So who will live up to the words of "carpe diem?''

While we could pinpoint a few favorites here and there, it's rare that the leaderboard looks as projected. Instead, there are under-the-radar players who come forth with a full head of steam and an unbreakable confidence.

So which unknowns should we be looking out for?

Jonathan Byrd, United States of America

Looking for an unlikely American? Jonathan Byrd is the guy for you.

The South Carolina native has five Top-10 finishes in 2012 and made the cut at each of the major tournaments he participated in. He's coming off of a John Deere Classic in which he finished at a respectable 7-under par, his sixth under-par finish in seven events.

Most notably for Byrd was his finish at The Players Championship. In a star-studded field, Byrd finished 12th with a consistent 6-under par. That's been the story for Byrd, as he posts a line in which the numbers rarely vary from round to round.

While he's certainly a longshot, Byrd should make the cut and be within a reasonable amount of strokes of the lead entering the final day. Never say never for the American hopefuls.

Nicolas Colsaerts, Belgium

Nicolas Colsaerts is a powerful driver who could take the field by storm.

Colsaerts captured the World Match Play Championship in May. He was also just four shots off of the lead entering the final round of the U.S. Open. Throw in the fact that he finished at 8-under par at the Scottish Open and 2-under at the Alstom Open de France and you've got a man with momentum.

A factor that almost always plays a role at the British Open.

If Colsaerts is able to hit the fairways, his long bombs should be enough to keep him in contention. Should his putter show up in the slightest way, he could emerge as a quiet favorite entering the final day of play.

Ross Fisher, England

Amongst golf diehards, Ross Fisher is far from an unknown. To the public eye, however, Fisher is just another British face in the crowded field.

Be prepared to hear a whole lot about Ross Fisher as this tournament rolls on.

Entering the Scottish Open, Fisher was coming off of consecutive Top-10 finishes at The Irish Open and BMW International Open. While his placement was far from encouraging at the Scottish Open, his 3-under par finish was far from something to complain about.

Fisher will be in the pack on the final day. Don't count him out as someone who could make a run to secure a piece of hardware.

Fredrik Jacobson, Sweden

In 2003, Fredrik Jacobson finished sixth at The Open Championship. Since then, Jacobson hasn't placed better than 11th, where he ended up in 2011.

In 2012, the 37-year-old Swede should be in contention until the final day. Jacobson is coming off of an impressive 11-under par at the Travelers Championship which saw him master the art of putting. At the U.S. Open, Jacobson was at 1-over through three rounds. That placed him just two strokes off of the pace entering the final day of play.

Should he string together a better closing performance, Fredrik Jacobson could be right up there with the leaders.

Jeev Milkha Singh, India

Jeev Milkha Singh may have the most momentum of any player in Golf. He won the Scottish Open less than 24 hours ago, taking a competitive playoff that proved his will to win.

The question is, how long can he hold the pace?

Singh shot 17-under par to win the event, also finishing at 6-under at the Irish Open. With a long string of European success behind him, it's not hard to imagine his emergence as a feel-good pick. He might also emerge as a bit of a favorite if he continues to open tournaments up hot.