British Open Field 2015: Final Odds and Predictions for Golf's Top Sleepers

With Rory McIlroy sidelined, all eyes at St. Andrews will be affixed to 21-year-old Jordan Spieth.  The Masters and U.S. Open champ became the first golfer to take the season's first two Grand Slams since Tiger Woods in 2002.  A win would lift Spieth past McIlroy in the world rankings while also putting him on the doorstep of history.

Despite his lack of success at the British Open, the red-hot Spieth is a deserved favorite after two consecutive wins and top-three finishes in four of his past five starts.  However, his lack of links experience serves as a potential equalizer, making this major the likeliest site where he'll stumble.

Spieth has gotten most of the pub leading up to St. Andrews, so let's shine the spotlight on some of his top challengers now.  Using the pre-tournament odds from Odds Shark, here are a trio of contenders best equipped to lift the Claret Jug and derail Spieth's run at history in the process.

Player	Odds
Jordan Spieth	9-2
Dustin Johnson	10-1
Rickie Fowler	14-1
Justin Rose	18-1
Adam Scott	20-1
Henrik Stenson	20-1
Louis Oosthuizen	22-1
Tiger Woods	25-1
Jason Day	28-1
Bubba Watson	33-1
Hideki Matsuyama	33-1
Paul Casey	33-1
Phil Mickelson	33-1
Sergio Garcia	33-1
Martin Kaymer	35-1
Shane Lowry	35-1
Branden Grace	40-1
Brandt Snedeker	40-1
Matt Kuchar	45-1
Brooks Koepka	50-1
Patrick Reed	50-1

Dustin Johnson

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

The longest hitter on tour by over 10 yards, no player figures to gain more strokes from tee to green than Johnson.  With a solid four-under T-14th finish at St. Andrews in 2010, Johnson also has a history on this course that suggests he should be in contention headed into the weekend.

Of course, many might also hesitate given Johnson's history of major championship meltdowns, with his three-putt on the 72nd hole at Chambers Bay being the most recent heartbreak.  After fumbling away the U.S. Open to Spieth, the Open Championship will cruelly pit him against the man who took away his first major, as he'll be paired with Spieth over the tournament's first two rounds.

Still, none of that should cloud the fact that Johnson has played excellent golf in 2015 after a lost 2014 campaign.  He's posted top-10 finishes in half of his 14 PGA Tour starts, which includes a sixth-place finish at the Masters and the aforementioned runner-up at the U.S. Open.  

As erratic as his game can be at times, Johnson has a proven track record on links courses, having made the cut in this major each of the past five years while posting four top-15 finishes.

Consequently, Johnson is a strong second favorite behind Spieth.  With the wide fairways and short par-four holes, Johnson is better equipped to blast his way to the Claret Jug than any other golfer in the field.

Rickie Fowler

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Spieth may have won the John Deere Classic last week, but Fowler won at a course that will bear a much closer resemblance to what he'll face at the Open Championship.  The Scottish Open victory was Fowler's second of the year and a strong bounce-back from his 14-over missed-cut disaster at Chambers Bay.  Consequently, some, like ESPN's Matt Barrie, are predicting an elusive Grand Slam breakthrough for Fowler:

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Momentum in golf is key. And right now, Fowler has it. After an absolute embarrassment at the U.S. Open, following his win at the Players, Fowler bounced back last weekend at the Scottish Open. It was a links-style course, and Fowler again showed his ability on that style track. His body is rested from the time change and travel, while Jordan Spieth is playing catch-up. Rory McIlroy not being in the field is one fewer hurdle for Fowler. Another young golf star gets his major. It's Rickie's time.

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Fowler has two career top-five finishes at this event, including a runner-up showing last year, so we know he can play this course.  It's been all-or-nothing for the 26-year-old in recent weeks—in his past six starts, Fowler has missed the cut three times but also won twice and finished in ninth.

It's anyone's guess as to whether we'll see the Fowler who won the Players' Championship or the one who wilted miserably at the Memorial Tournament and U.S. Open immediately thereafter.  However, if it's the former version, he might establish himself as the weekend favorite over Spieth.

Tiger Woods

Peter Morrison/Associated Press

I know, I know this selection defies logic.  Tiger's odds aren't all that great after the public bet him heavily a couple weeks before the Open, though they've receded from previous high tides.  Nevertheless, after his best to-par score of the year at the Greenbrier Classic (seven-under), Tiger finally has some forward progress to back up his inveterate confidence:

To be sure, this is entirely based on his history with St. Andrews.  Yes, Tiger can no longer compete at many courses he used to own, but his slipshod accuracy off the tee won't be as harmful here as it is on American courses.  Tiger's Open Championship fate will likely come down to his putter, which has often held him back from making steadier progress.

Tiger has won twice at St. Andrews, but his 2015 start is much more likely to resemble the disappointing 23rd-place finish of 2010.  Nevertheless, if there's any place where his career will get back on track, it's the Old Course.