British Open 2013 Leaderboard: Golfers Who Will Choke Away Championship Chances

Being at or near the top of the leaderboard after 36 holes of British Open golf means very little. Sure, it puts these guys in a nice place to make a run at the title, but for some, that will only add a pressure that their games cannot withstand. 

With Muirfield proving to be an extremely tough course, and the lightning-quick fairways and greens accentuating any slightly missed shots, collapses will be swift and severe. 

Check out the leaderboard, and then I'll highlight three guys headed towards this dismal fate. 

All stats courtesy of The Open Championship's official site. 

Dustin Johnson

Dustin Johnson has solid experience contending in majors. He was poised to win the 2010 PGA Championship until his ball was in a bunker on the 72nd hole. He didn't realize it was in a bunker. He ground his club and wound up receiving a two-stroke penalty. 

He also had a collapse while in the lead during the final round of the U.S. Open in 2010 that included  him hacking away left handed at a ball in a bad spot.

He also hit his second shot out of bounds with an iron while in contention on the final day at the 2011 British Open. 

At least he blows his opportunity with style. 

Johnson has looked great at the start of this tournament. He's hit a massive 77.8 percent of his greens in regulation. However, at some point, he will suffer another epic meltdown. 

Ryan Moore

Ryan Moore is a talented ball striker with the ability to win a major. However, he hasn't shown the ability to hold it together over four rounds.

He will find a way to work himself in contention early in majors, only to be undone by a horrific round. I expect that bad round to come on Saturday.

Moore went off with the early group on Friday, and he did most of his damage early on the softer greens.

Stepping to the 15th tee box, he was two-under on the day. He played the remaining four holes at two-over.

Among the leaders, Moore will be playing Saturday afternoon in the lightning fast conditions. He is going to struggle.

His best finish at an Open Championship is just 28th, and he's only made two cuts in his 11 appearances at this event.

Miguel Angel Jimenez 

When it comes to the 36-hole leader, I don't expect his mind to choke as much as his body.

Jimenez is 49 and trying to become the oldest major winner in history. That right there is a bad start.

However, as the band around his arm tells us, he is also battling tennis elbow. On top of that, he's only been back in tournament golf for four months after returning from a broken leg suffered while skiing.

All of that said, he certainly doesn't seem to be too uptight about holding the lead:

Jimenez has been able to charge to the top of the leaderboard with great short-game play.

He's only reached 58.3 percent of his greens in regulation, but has needed just 1.53 putts per green. 

While he has a good chance to keep that short game going, he will not be able to keep his ball striking at a high enough level to contend.