Putting key to Scott's Birkdale chances this week

Kevin Na
The 33-year-old has been stuck on one US Tour victory since 2011. Six Open starts have yielded no top-20s. Birkdale debut.

Alexander Noren
The Swede has rocketed up the world rankings in the last 12 months, winning five times on the European Tour, but he missed the cut in the Scottish Open last week. Made his Open debut at Birkdale in 2008 and finished tied for 19th. Ninth in 2012 is his only decent Open effort since.

Shaun Norris
The 35-year-old South African has won twice on the Sunshine Tour and twice on the Asian Tour, but has never been a factor at the highest level. Open debut.

Sean O'Hair
The Texan has won four times on the US Tour, which is arguably an underachievement given how well he swings. He finished second-last of the weekend qualifiers in the 2008 Open at Birkdale. Capable but inconsistent.

Mark O'Meara
The 60-year-old won the 1998 Open at Birkdale, having finished third there in the 1991 edition. Has made the cut in his last three Opens.

Thorbjorn Olesen
The free-flowing 27-year-old Dane has won four times on the European Tour. He has arrived for his Birkdale debut in decent form, but has made an impact only once (ninth in 2012) in five Open starts.

Louis Oosthuizen
The 2010 Open champion was a playoff loser in 2015. Has never contended for the Claret Jug away from St Andrews and is making his Birkdale debut. The South African has been playing excellent golf all season and must be respected.

Matthieu Pavon
The French youngster conjured a final-round 66 to finish third in the Scottish Open on Sunday and earn a last-gasp Open spot. Inexperienced and making his Major debut.

Pat Perez
The feisty character got his career back on track by winning the OHL Classic in November. Has played well since and broken into the top 50 of the world rankings. Missed the cut at Birkdale in 2008 and has never bettered 20th in the Open.

Thomas Pieters
The brilliant Belgian made an awesome Ryder Cup debut last year, then finished fourth on his first Masters visit in April. Tied for 30th on his Open debut 12 months ago. Missed the cut in the Irish Open by six shots in a disappointing warm-up.

Alfie Plant
The European amateur champion will be making his Open debut. Bexleyheath 25-year-old looking for a fun week.

Ian Poulter
The former Ryder Cup star battled through an Open qualifier at Woburn. Finding his game again after an injury-ruined 2016. Runner-up at Birkdale in 2008.

Jon Rahm
The Spanish beast destroyed the field in the Irish Open the week before last, winning by six shots to showcase his links ability. Tied for 59th on his Open debut 12 months ago. One of the most promising youngsters in the game, but may need more time to become a Major champ.

Richie Ramsay
The three-time European Tour champion finished second behind Rahm in the Irish Open. Has never bettered 58th in 11 Major starts, missing nine cuts.

Patrick Reed
The Ryder Cup warhorse badly struggled for form in the aftermath of that competition, but results have improved over the last two months. Open form of MC-20-12. Birkdale debut. Probably not a good enough driver to succeed on this layout.

Justin Rose
The 2013 US Open champion has returned to the scene of his best Open performance. He finished fourth as an amateur at Birkdale in the 1998 Open. Tied for 70th in 2008. Lost a Masters playoff to Garcia in April. Tied fourth in the Irish Open last time out.

Xander Schauffele
The 23-year-old Californian won his maiden US Tour title in the Greenbrier Classic, securing an Open debut. Tied for fifth on his US Open debut last month.

Charl Schwartzel
The classy South African won the Masters in 2011 and was third at Augusta in April. Five of his last seven Open starts have yielded a top-20 finish. Birkdale debut.

Adam Scott
The Australian should be an Open champion, but capitulated when on the brink of victory in 2012. Has recorded a top-ten finish in four of the last five Opens and missed the cut only once in the last 13. He was 16th in the 2008 edition at Birkdale. Links-proven and hitting his ball majestically. Should threaten the Jug if he can produce four days of solid putting.

Callum Shinkwin
The big-hitting Watford man lost a playoff for the Scottish Open on Sunday, but claimed an Open berth in the process. Missed the cut on his Open debut last year.

Webb Simpson
The 2012 US Open champion has not posted a top-ten finish in any other Major. Has banked some decent cheques on the US Tour this term, but his game is full of weaknesses.

Cameron Smith
The Aussie youngster should enjoy his Open debut. Strong from tee to green and can handle a breeze. Tied for fourth in the 2015 US Open. Worth a speculative top-20 dart.

Brandt Snedeker
NON-RUNNER Withdrew on Wednesday with a rib injury.

Younghan Song
The 26-year-old Korean is making his Open debut. Won the Singapore Open last season. Unproven outside Asia.

Matthew Southgate
The Essex ace tied for 12th place last year in his second Open appearance. Tied for second in the Irish Open to earn an Open return, before missing the cut by five shots in Scotland.

Jordan Spieth
The dual Major champ finished one shot outside of a playoff in the 2015 Open, the closest he has come to the Claret Jug. Birkdale debut. A severe test of driving is not ideal for him. Has won twice this year (Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Travelers Championship), without finding his A-game.

Kyle Stanley
The Washington man won his second US Tour title at the start of this month in the Quicken Loans National, more than five years after his first. Bursting with long-game control. Open form of 44-39-MC from three Open starts. Birkdale debut.

Brendan Steele
The underrated Californian has won twice on the US Tour and was 13th in the US Open. Has missed the cut in both Open starts.

Henrik Stenson
The defending champion has failed to find top gear this season, missing four cuts, including the Masters and the US Open. Tied for third at Birkdale in 2008.

Brandon Stone
The talented South African has won two European Tour events in his homeland and is trying to find his feet in higher grades. Missed the cut on his Open debut last year.

Brandon Stone missed the cut in the Open last yearCredit: Getty Images

Robert Streb
The 30-year-old American emerged from a slump with second place in the Greenbrier Classic. Open form of 18-MC.

Steve Stricker
The 50-year-old was fourth in the Open 12 months ago, his third top-eight finish in the tournament. Birkdale form of 52-7. Finished fifth in the John Deere on Sunday. The oldest Open winner was 46.

Andy Sullivan
The Midlander has found some decent pre-Open form. Has finished 30th and 12th in his two previous Opens. Birkdale debut.

Julian Suri
The powerful American earned an Open debut at the Gailes Links qualifier. Has been impressing on the Challenge Tour this term.

Connor Syme
The 21-year-old amateur from Fife secured an Open debut at Gailes Links.

Hideto Tanihara
The Japanese dude is enjoying the best season of his career, having finished fourth in the WGC-Match Play and third in the BMW PGA Championship. Tied for tenth in the Irish Open last time out. Tied for fifth in the 2006 Open, but missed the cut at Birkdale in 2008.

Justin Thomas
The power-packed youngster had a rollercoaster ride over the weekend of the US Open, equalling the lowest round in the history of the event (63) before dropping to ninth with a Sunday 75. Bursting with talent but inconsistent. Tied for 53rd spot on his Open debut last year.

Toby Tree
The Open debutant sneaked through the Woburn qualifier. The Englishman has been struggling on the Challenge Tour.

Peter Uihlein
The aggressive American has performed well this season, stepping up a gear after his best mate Brooks Koepka won the US Open. A runner-up finish in French Open was followed by 14th in Ireland. Has played well in a breeze and lost a playoff for the 2013 Dunhill Links. Open form of 48-MC. Birkdale debut.

Jhonattan Vegas
The Venezuelan has won twice on the US Tour, but never posted a top-20 finish in a Major. Open debut. Easy to ignore.

Jimmy Walker
The USPGA champion has been labouring with Lyme disease since his Major breakthrough, lacking energy and form. Open results of MC-26-30-MC.

Jeunghun Wang
The Korean short-game wizard has suffered a considerable dip in form since winning the Qatar Masters in January. Yet to make a cut in a Major in four attempts.

Paul Waring
The man from Birkenhead will feel at home this week. His last Open start was at Birkdale in 2008 and he finished 19th. Has played well in patches this term.

Bubba Watson
The dual Masters champion has lost weight and form this season, a downturn not aided by changing his ball manufacturer. His poor Open record seems unlikely to improve.

Lee Westwood
The regular Majors nearly-man has just switched management companies at the age of 44. Has finished in the top four in the Open four times, but Birkdale form of 64-67 is off-putting.

Bernd Wiesberger
The Austrian giant is one of the most consistent ball-strikers on the European Tour, but he lacks putting touch. Yet to perform well in the Open (64-MC-68-MC).

Danny Willett
The 2016 Masters champion has plummeted down the world rankings since a difficult Ryder Cup debut last year. Has been struggling for form and fitness, and parted with his long-time caddie in May.

Chris Wood
The giant Bristolian has twice contended for the Open title, finishing fifth at Birkdale as an amateur in 2008 and third at Turnberry the following year. Suffered a wrist injury during the Irish Open and missed the cut in Scotland last week, so not an ideal preparation.

Gary Woodland
The American bomber has won twice on the US Tour, but never notched a top-ten finish in a Major. An unattractive Birkdale betting proposition.

Fabrizio Zanotti The pride of Paraguay is making his Open debut. Short of power and Major experience. Difficult to fancy.