CAMERON SMITH

Age: 28
World ranking: 6
Best result in a major: T2 2020 Masters
Opens played: Four (Three cuts made)
Best Open result: T20 (2019)
Smith’s banner year could see him contend this week at the major he has struggled with the most so far in his career. Twice a winner this year, in Hawaii and at The Players, Smith went close at Augusta, was T13 at the PGA and was impressive on his way to a T10 at the Scottish Open last week. Has a game that should thrive in the hard and fast conditions this week.
First round tee time: 5:08pm (AEST)
Odds: $23

ADAM SCOTT

Age: 41
World ranking: 46
Best result in a major: Won 2013 Masters
Opens played: 21 (16 cuts made)
Best Open result: 2nd (2012)
Scott has clearly had this event circled on the calendar for a long time having arrived on site straight from the JP McManus Pro-Am early last week to reacquaint himself with The Old Course. The Queenslander has produced some mixed form so far this year, but there has been more good than bad, including four top-10s and a T14 at the U.S. Open in his last official start. Has played this championship well for much of his career and should have a Claret Jug on the shelf. Contended here in 2015.
First round tee time: 10:15pm (AEST)
Odds: $91

LUCAS HERBERT

Age: 26
World ranking: 51
Best result in a major: T13 2022 PGA
Opens played: Two (One cut made)
Best Open result: T51 (2018)
Touted to contend last week at Renaissance, Herbert missed the cut which will have afforded him more time at St. Andrews ahead of this week. Showed some good form at the Irish Open a fortnight ago and showed his comfort at this level when finishing 13th at this year’s PGA Championship. Owns a game full of creativity and shot shaping that will match up well with the course and conditions. Can go very low.
First round tee time: 4:30pm (AEST)
Odds: $101

MARC LEISHMAN

Age: 38
World ranking: 56
Best result in a major: T2 2015 Open
Opens played: Nine (Six cuts made)
Best Open result: T2 (2015)
After a promising start to the year, ‘Leish’ has struggled to produce consistently good results, but did show some positive signs on his way to a share of 14th at the U.S. Open. Went so close to claiming the Claret Jug in 2015 when his ball found a divot on the first hole of the play-off eventually won by Zach Johnson. Grew up in the wind of Warrnambool and is a magnificent iron player that just needs to avoid the trouble from the tee.
First round tee time: 10:15pm (AEST)
Odds: $81

MIN WOO LEE

Age: 23
World ranking: 74
Best result in a major: T14 2022 Masters
Opens played: One (No cuts made)
Best Open result: MC (2021)
Disappointing showing as the defending champion last week in Scotland, but so far Lee’s career has shown that lead in form isn’t always the best indicator. Having spent much of the year in America chasing a PGA Tour card, the last two weeks will have reacclimated the West Australian to European golf and his length off the tee and stinger ability should offer plenty of scoring chances this week. Loves the big stage and has made two cuts from three major starts in 2022 with a T14 at The Masters and T27 at the U.S. Open.
First round tee time: 3:30pm (AEST)
Odds: $126

BRAD KENNEDY

Age: 48
World ranking: 135
Best result in a major: Missed Cut (Four times)
Opens played: Three (No cuts made)
Best Open result: MC (2011, 2012, 2021)
He might not have the major record he would like, or many might expect, but Kennedy has been playing some great golf this year. The Queenslander had a worst finish of T14 from four starts on the Aussie Tour before a top-20 at the Saudi International in a strong field. Arrives fresh off a break following four straight top-10s in Japan. An outstanding putter and game manager, won’t be overawed by the occasion.
First round tee time: 6:25pm (AEST)
Odds: $1,001

JASON SCRIVENER

World ranking: 33
Age: 179
Best result in a major: T23 2021 PGA
Opens played: One (No cuts made)
Best Open result: MC (2021)
Has put together a solid year on the DP World Tour where he is still chasing his first win and second as a professional after claiming the NSW Open back in 2017. A quality ball striker, Scrivener was T16 last week at the Scottish Open where he fired a final round 65 and was T3 at the recent Scandinavian Mixed. Very familiar with The Old Course after years of competing in the Dunhill Links. Could be a surprise contender if some luck goes his way.
First round tee time: 11:15pm (AEST)
Odds: $376

ANTHONY QUAYLE

World ranking: 27
Age: 224
Best result in a major: Debut
Opens played: Debut
Best Open result: Debut
Had a run of three top-10s to start the year at home, including a win at the QLD PGA and runner-up at The Players Series Victoria before producing some solid results in Japan. Finished second at the Mizuno Open to earn his spot here when entering the final round in the lead. A good ball striker and very good driver of the golf ball, Quayle has all the qualities of PGA Tour player and a good week here would go a long way in terms of confidence and world ranking points towards that goal.
First round tee time: 7:53pm (AEST)
Odds: $1,001

JEDIAH MORGAN

World ranking: 22
Age: 269
Best result in a major: Missed Cut 2022 U.S. Open
Opens played: Debut
Best Open result: Debut
Hasn’t had his best stuff since his runaway victory at the Fortinet Australian PGA at the start of the year but has gained valuable experience playing all over the world. Has been part of the opening two LIV Golf events that haven’t yielded the results he would have wanted but has lined his pockets ahead of his DP World Tour card starting next season. The Open has a habit of allowing players struggling with form to find something, and Morgan’s game should suit links golf perfectly. A great putter and solid ball flight control matches well here.
First round tee time: 8:36pm (AEST)
Odds: $1,001

DIMITRIOS PAPADATOS

World ranking: 31
Age: 365
Best result in a major: Missed Cut 2019 Open
Opens played: One (No cuts made)
Best Open result: MC (2019)
Secured his place with a second Vic Open win at the start of 2022 that the New South Welshman followed with four top-20s on his home circuit. Since returning to the secondary Challenge Tour, Papadatos hasn’t contended but he is another with previous experience here via the Dunhill Links. His low ball flight will work around The Old Course and the Central Coast product is a magnificent putter who likes a links-style challenge. Will have got some valuable work in with new coach Grant Field on site this week.
First round tee time: 12:43am (AEST)
Odds: $1,001

MATTHEW GRIFFIN

World ranking: 38
Age: 742
Best result in a major: Missed Cut 2017 Open
Opens played: One (No cuts made)
Best Open result: MC (2017)
Been a tough run since his third place at the Vic Open that earnt him a spot at the 150th Open. A five-time winner as a pro, Griffin plies his trade on the Japan Tour where he has a best finish of T24 this year at The Crowns tournament, one of the biggest of the season. The kind of player to have soaked in everything about links golf and The Open this week, Griffin is a marvellous putter that wouldn’t surprise if he made the weekend in a decent position to make a move up the leaderboard.
First round tee time: 12:43am (AEST)
Odds: $1,001