My predictions for each player in the field

The British Open is golf's true world championship. It has more players from more countries than any other event. It's the United Nations of golf. So let's group players by country as I handicap the field. 

British Open odds ENGLAND David Howell 6:1 Though still mostly unknown in the U.S., Howell has ridden a deadly putter to crack the top 10 in the World Ranking. The home-country advantage may put him over the top. Luke Donald 8:1 Straight driver, good iron player and a decent putter, he's got to be among the favorites even though his Open record is undistinguished. Ian Poulter 14:1 There's more to Poulter than his wild-colored slacks: He's got pink shirts, too. Lee Westwood 25:1 Former boy wonder has never regained his top form, but there's a great player still lurking in that body somewhere. Greg Owen 35:1 Last seen enduring a putting mishap that cost him the title at Bay Hill, he's solid tee to green. Nick Faldo 77:1 Nasty Nick has an A game as a golf commentator, but to contend in the Open now would be a miracle on the order of Nicklaus at Augusta in '86. Barry Lane 80:1 Former Ryder Cupper is still only the second most famous Lane in England, next to Penny. (Obligatory Beatles reference since Hoylake is next to Liverpool.) THE SOUTHS (Africa, Korea) Retief Goosen 5:1 The Goose is too good to not win another major soon. This may be the one. Trevor Immelman 10:1 He fits the profile of an Open champion -- controlled shots, excellent iron player. Ernie Els 11-1 Major champ hasn't looked like his old self, due to a balky putter and questions about whether his knee injury last fall was more serious than he let on. Tim Clark 13:1 Gritty little player -- if he's got a major in him, it's the British. Rory Sabbatini 18:1 He won twice early this year, but what has he done for us lately? K.J. Choi 30:1 Talented high-ball hitter who may struggle with wind. S.K. Ho 62:1 There will be no cheap, tasteless jokes about his name at Ho's expense -- they'll be charged to someone else's account. FIJI Vijay Singh 9:1 The driver's been killing him -- he's bound to solve that soon. AUSTRALIA Adam Scott 7:1 The Next Big Thing in his home country is a proven winner, but he hasn't solved the puzzle of major championship golf ... yet. Geoff Ogilvy 8:1 The U.S. Open champion is a high-ball hitter who has the game to win anytime, anywhere ... unless it's really windy. Stuart Appleby 12:1 He has two wins in the U.S. this year -- isn't it about time he stepped it up in a major? Rod Pampling 12:1 He won at Bay Hill, so now nobody brings up his record as the only player to lead the British Open after the first round and then miss the cut. Steve Elkington 14:1 An enigma due to injuries and health issues, Elk is nonetheless a legitimate contender in this major. Peter Lonard 15:1 A superb wind player who sometimes battles the putter; the Open is right up his alley. Nick O'Hern 18:1 A good sleeper pick -- a straight hitter who's probably the best long-putter user in the game. Robert Allenby 25:1 A superb ballstriker when healthy; it's surprising he hasn't had more chances to win in majors. Aaron Baddeley 30:1 The former teen phenom got his first U.S. tour win this year. Mark Hensby 40:1 He was a major performer in 2005 but hasn't been on his game this year. Matthew Goggin 50:1 Only player in the field whose name rhymes with noggin. Ben Bunny 100:1 The odds of a Bunny winning the Open are probably astronomical, doc.