In less than 24 hours Australian Craig Parry will hit the first tee shot of the 2008 British Open at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport (UK).

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It has always been one of my favourite tournaments of the year because I love the special atmosphere of a Major tournament being played on a Links course. It really is a shame that they don’t play more tournaments on these types of golf course.

Here are my personal favourites for this year’s British Open:

1. Sergio Garcia (Spain) / OWGR: 7, best finish at the British Open: 2nd (2007)

Is considered to be the best player in the world without a major victory. Lost to Ireland’s Padraig Harrington in a four-hole play-off in last year’s British Open at Carnoustie after losing a six shot lead during the final round. Won the Player’s Championship earlier this year in a play-off with Paul Goydos. Finished second in the European Open on the European PGA Tour just a couple of weeks ago and battling strong winds and heavy rain. The tournament was played on a golf course somewhat similar to Royal Birkdale.

2. Justin Leonard (USA) / OWGR: 27, best finish at the British Open: 1st (1997)

The winner of the 1997 British Open at Royal Troon is an extremely consistent player who does well on all sorts of golf courses. Is enjoying a stellar season on the PGA Tour with a first (Stanford St. Jude Championship), a 2nd, a 4th and a 5th. Justin is a very good putter which is always important on the difficult greens of a British Open layout.

3. Stewart Cink (USA) / OWGR: 6, best finish at the British Open: 6th (2007)

Stewart has played in every Open since 1998. While he has missed three cuts he did finish in a very good position in 2007. Did finish a four year drought by winning the Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour earlier this year. In 15 events this year he also has a 2nd, two 3rd places and seven Top-10 finishes overall. Is in a close hunt for best player in the world without a major victory…

4. Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) / OWGR: 29, best finish at the British Open: 11th (2005)

Growing up in Northern Ireland Graeme obviously knows how to play on a Links course. Is coming of a series of good results and did win the Scottish Open last week by beating a world-class field including Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Ernie Els. With that victory he sealed his place on the European team for this year’s Ryder Cup. However, never so far has a winner of the Scottish Open gone on to win the British Open title the following week.

5. Ross Fisher (England) / OWGR: 55, best finish at the British Open: MC (2007)

Playing in just his second British Open Fisher is one of many emerging stars on the European PGA Tour. The big-hitting Englishman is playing out of Wentworth where he regularly practises with Ernie Els. He has had a sensational 2008 campaign so far and ranks 7th on the Order of Merit. Did win the European Open by a stunning seven (!) shots from Sergio Garcia while leading the tournament from start to finish.

And what about Phil Mickelson? As much as I’d love to see him win his first Claret Jug this week I have to admit that I am not overly optimistic. Phil does not have a good record at the British Open – he has only one Top-10 in 15 starts - and I seriously doubt his ability to perform on a Links course. Although he is certainly a fabulous ball striker he somehow cannot manage to combine the low, penetrating ball flight, bump-and-run shots and great putting in order to really do well here.

Phil has been drawn into a group with Hideto Tanihara from Japan and England’s Paul Casey. The three will tee it up at 9:20 a.m. local time on Thursday morning. The weather forecast is for cool temperatures, pretty strong winds and some light rain – that won’t help Phil’s chances either as he likes to play in warmer conditions.

As for the first time ever the R&A has managed to come up with a somewhat respectable web site, please don’t hesitate to visit http://www.opengolf.com for further information and live scoring.