British Open Field 2012: Golfers in Best Spot to Win First Major

The last time The Open was held at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, a player captured his first major championship. It was David Duval in 2001, and there is a chance we could see history repeat itself.

The event will have its share of players who have already captured majors: Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and more. But there are a handful of great players with a shot at winning their first major title.

Most of them have been long-sufferers who have had their share of near-misses. But one is a relatively new pro whose game and confidence make it seem as though a major title is only a matter of time.

Take a look at the five players with the best chance of capturing their first major at The Open 2012. 

Lee Westwood

Everything about Westwood says he should be a major factor in this tournament—but I think he will choke again.

He held the No. 1 ranking for 17 weeks beginning in October 2010. He has 22 wins on the European tour and 39 overall. The 39-year-old Englishman will certainly have his share of supporters among the fans.

But in major tournaments he has always come up short.

He finished second at the Masters and The Open in 2010, and that's great for raising your ranking, but it doesn't get you off the majors snide. 

I don't think this will be the year he ends the drought either.

Hunter Mahan

Mahan has been knocking on the door to contention in his last two events. He finished 11th at Travelers Championship and eighth at AT&T National.

He has been wrecked by the one bad day so far this year.

At the Masters, Mahan was firmly in contention, but a 74 on the final day killed any chance he had. He finished 12th at Augusta, but The Open could be his spot to put things together.

Being accurate off the tee and in second shots on par-fours will be key at The Open. Mahan has a GIR percentage of 70.37 percent, which is third on the tour this year.

But that doesn't mean he'll hit the ball well this week. It's a different course, and he could be affected by the slow greens at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

I wouldn't say he has the best shot of the five best without a major, but he does have a solid chance to make some noise.

Luke Donald

I believe there should be a stipulation that says a player can't be ranked No. 1 in the world if they haven't won a major.

That doesn't exist, thus Donald currently holds that spot. He needs to deliver a strong performance and hope that Tiger isn't on his game to hold onto the top spot.

If Tiger wins The Open, he is likely to snatch the No. 1 ranking away from Donald—unless Donald finishes just behind him, per Bob Harig of ESPN.

Donald hasn't played since the U.S. Open in June, and he missed the cut at the brutal Olympic Club in California.

After getting more than a month of rest from competition, Donald should be charged.

He has one win this year and five top-25 finishes. His consistency has kept him atop the rankings, but now Donald needs to turn the corner. His precision style and solid mid-range game should keep him relevant at The Open.

He could hang around if he plays the low-error and effective scrambling style he excels at.

No player has been better scrambling overall and from the rough this season. He ranks No. 1 on the tour in both categories, and he'll need those skills in this tournament.

Dustin Johnson

Johnson just turned professional in 2007 at age 23, but he has already accumulated eight tour victories.

Johnson hasn't been playing his best golf lately. After winning the FedEx St. Jude Classic, he missed the cut at the U.S. Open, finished 44th at AT&T National and 33rd at the Greenbrier Classic.

Still, there are reasons to believe he'll play well at The Open. He is slowly but surely working himself back into form.

He struck the ball much better at The Greenbrier Classic, and his confidence seems to be back to where it was prior to his brief slump.

Johnson finished second at The Open last year, and he could use that experience to be a serious challenger this week. 

Justin Rose

Rose is England's best shot at a local champion. He has been paired with Tiger Woods in the draw, but instead of hurting his chances, I think playing alongside Tiger will help him.

Rose is a strong competitor who will embrace the challenge and attention.

He told the Metro: "No doubt there was a time when it was not necessarily a great draw [with Woods] but it has settled down a little bit and you get used to it."

Rose has been consistent most of the year. His average score of 69.54 is sixth on the tour, and he too has excelled in reaching greens in regulation.

His GIR is 70.33 percent, and that's good for fourth on tour. Rose's precision game and his confidence will serve him well, and he's one of my favorites in this tournament.

I'd be surprised if he finishes outside of the top five.

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