This article is part of our Major Power Rankings series.
FAVORITES
| 1. Jordan Spieth Note: With Rory McIlroy out due to injury, Spieth's chance at notching the third leg of the Grand Slam are as good as ever. |
| 2. Dustin Johnson Note: Despite Johnson's 3-putt to lose the U.S. Open, he is too good not to rebound. Four top-15s in last five Open Championships. |
| 3. Rickie Fowler Note: Top-5s in two of his last four Opens; total game to contend as seen by his wins at The Players in May and last week's Scottish Open. |
| 4. Justin Rose Note: Has yet to post a top-10 at the Open since his 1998 low amateur effort to pounce on the scene. In good form this season. |
| 5. Adam Scott Note: Top-5s in his last three Opens, Scott has figured out the links courses and will be in the mix if his putting holds up. |
| 6. Henrik Stenson Note: Strong Swede who has three top-3 efforts at the Open since 2008; primed to finally win his first major. |
| 7. Louis Oosthuizen Note: Will defend his title at St. Andrews this week after demolishing field in 2010. |
| 8. Tiger Woods Note: Won at St. Andrews in 2000 and 2005; starting to turn game around after three rounds in 60s a couple weeks back. |
| 9. Jason Day Note: A high-ball hitter who has yet to post a top-30 at the Open, Day will look to overcome his recent bout with vertigo to break the skid. |
| 10. Phil Mickelson Note: Broke through for his first Open |
FAVORITES
CONTENDERS
IN THE HUNT
NEED A FEW BREAKS
LONG SHOTS
| 1. Jordan Spieth Note: With Rory McIlroy out due to injury, Spieth's chance at notching the third leg of the Grand Slam are as good as ever. |
| 2. Dustin Johnson Note: Despite Johnson's 3-putt to lose the U.S. Open, he is too good not to rebound. Four top-15s in last five Open Championships. |
| 3. Rickie Fowler Note: Top-5s in two of his last four Opens; total game to contend as seen by his wins at The Players in May and last week's Scottish Open. |
| 4. Justin Rose Note: Has yet to post a top-10 at the Open since his 1998 low amateur effort to pounce on the scene. In good form this season. |
| 5. Adam Scott Note: Top-5s in his last three Opens, Scott has figured out the links courses and will be in the mix if his putting holds up. |
| 6. Henrik Stenson Note: Strong Swede who has three top-3 efforts at the Open since 2008; primed to finally win his first major. |
| 7. Louis Oosthuizen Note: Will defend his title at St. Andrews this week after demolishing field in 2010. |
| 8. Tiger Woods Note: Won at St. Andrews in 2000 and 2005; starting to turn game around after three rounds in 60s a couple weeks back. |
| 9. Jason Day Note: A high-ball hitter who has yet to post a top-30 at the Open, Day will look to overcome his recent bout with vertigo to break the skid. |
| 10. Phil Mickelson Note: Broke through for his first Open Championship in 2013 and has the necessary experience to contend at the home of golf. |
| 11. Sergio Garcia Note: A perennial powerhouse at the Open, Sergio has eight top-10s at this event and represents his best chance to capture a major. |
CONTENDERS
| 12. Bubba Watson Note: Not exactly the poster child for an Open Championship but is talented enough to surprise. Won two weeks ago at the Travelers. |
| 13. Paul Casey Note: In midst of career revival with a couple runner-ups this season; due for a breakthrough win. |
| 14. Hideki Matsuyama Note: Elite ballstriker who is plenty capable of showing up at St. Andrews. Tied for sixth in 2013 Open. |
| 15. Martin Kaymer Note: Solid links player with two majors and proven ability to stay patient. |
| 16. Shane Lowry Note: Known for his links play, Lowry posted a top-10 at the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay last month. |
| 17. Brandt Snedeker Note: Strong links player with aggressive putting that will fare well on slower Open Championship greens. |
| 18. Branden Grace Note: Heart-breaking drive OB down the stretch at the U.S. Open killed his chances; he'll be back for redemption at St. Andrews. |
| 19. Matt Kuchar Note: Runner-up at last week's Scottish Open; only tournament off his resume is a major. |
| 20. Patrick Reed Note: Top-15 at the U.S. Open last month and will look to contend in his first major. |
| 21. Brooks Koepka Note: Scary long and capable of overpowering St. Andrews this week but will need to putt well. |
| 22. Jimmy Walker Note: Walker posted a T26 in his first Open last season; has a great combination of ballstriking and short game to contend. |
| 23. Victor Dubuisson Note: "Golden Hands" may need his magical touch around the treacherous bunkers of St. Andrews; T9 at the Open last year. |
| 24. Tommy Fleetwood Note: Youthful 24-year-old has a solid record playing St. Andrews in the Dunhill Links and coming in with good form. |
| 25. Jim Furyk Note: Great ballstriker with immense short game but may struggle with the longer holes at St. Andrews. |
| 26. Bernd Wiesberger Note: Won the Astom French Open two weeks ago and in great form. |
| 27. Lee Westwood Note: Proven commodity with solid ballstriking and patience to contend even in his 40s. |
| 28. Charl Schwartzel Note: Solid record at St. Andrews with elite ballstriking ability to weather any wind conditions. |
IN THE HUNT
| 29. Ian Poulter Note: Gritty competitor will need to drive the ball as well as he scrambles to etch his name on the Claret Jug. |
| 30. Luke Donald Note: Elite short game and recent top-10 at the Travelers has this Englishman in sleeper range to play well this week. |
| 31. Graeme McDowell Note: Gritty player who can grind out a good round in any condition; solid Open Championship record. |
| 32. J.B. Holmes Note: Bomber with plenty of form and game to surprise. |
| 33. Billy Horschel Note: Has missed two cuts in two tries at the Open but plenty talented enough to change that trend. |
| 34. Danny Willett Note: Top-15 two years ago at the Open and currently second in the Race to Dubai rankings. |
| 35. Zach Johnson Note: After another great performance at the John Deere, Johnson will seek continued success in Open Championship week. |
| 36. Kevin Kisner Note: Among the hottest players in golf with three playoff losses this season. |
| 37. Byeong-Hun An Note: BMW PGA champ is set on taking the next step of contending in a major. |
| 38. Francesco Molinari Note: Great ballstriker with top-15s his last two Opens. |
| 39. Jason Dufner Note: Straight hitter who seems to fit the links mold but has yet to post a top-25 at the Open Championship. |
| 40. Keegan Bradley Note: Long and straight can't hurt especially on a fast links course. |
| 41. Jamie Donaldson Note: Wales native has yet to play well in the Open Championship but has the iron game to surprise. |
| 42. Gary Woodland Note: Long hitter has three top-40s in three tries at the Open and will be a good fit for St. Andrews. |
| 43. Ernie Els Note: Legendary links player won the 2012 Open and has plenty of success to draw on at the Old Course. |
| 44. Ryan Moore Note: Has struggled in majors in his career but has made his last three cuts at Open Championships. |
| 45. Padraig Harrington Note: Won 2007 and 2008 Open Championships but enters with weak form. |
| 46. Bill Haas Note: Solid driver of the ball has just one top-25 at the Open in five attempts. |
| 47. Ryan Palmer Note: Great tee-to-green player who has made 2-of-2 cuts at the Open. |
| 48. Marc Warren Note: Top-30 at the U.S. Open last month and top-5 at last week's Scottish Open have this Scotland native in good form. |
NEED A FEW BREAKS
| 49. Graham DeLaet Note: Long hitter with little links experience but coming off top-5 at the Travelers a few weeks back. |
| 50. Charley Hoffman Note: Contended at the Masters in April but has a very weak record at the Open. |
| 51. Hunter Mahan Note: Solid tee-to-green player who has a solid track record at the Open. |
| 52. Stephen Gallacher Note: Strong Open Championship record with three top-25s in last four starts. |
| 53. Webb Simpson Note: Short game wizard will need to hit it well to have a chance; weak Open record. |
| 54. Joost Luiten Note: Played well at U.S. Open and entering off top-5 last week at Scottish Open. |
| 55. Geoff Ogilvy Note: Spotty Open record but the Aussie is the 2006 U.S. Open champion. |
| 56. Marc Leishman Note: Top-5 effort at last year's Open. |
| 57. Harris English Note: Top-15 finish in 2013 Open and has plenty of length to play well at St. Andrews. |
| 58. Miguel Angel Jimenez Note: Great Open record and enjoying a great two year run of golf. |
| 59. Brendon Todd Note: T39 in first Open last year and posesses plenty of short game skill to navigate the tricky St. Andrews. |
| 60. Kevin Na Note: Has made two cuts in four Open starts, his best a T27 at St. Andrews in 2010. |
| 61. Ross Fisher Note: Held the lead briefly Sunday at the 2009 Open but a quadruple bogey pushed him back to T13. |
| 62. George Coetzee Note: Two top-20s in four Open starts. |
| 63. Andy Sullivan Note: First timer at the Open playing in just his second major championship. |
| 64. David Howell Note: Tied for 15th at Hoylake last year. |
| 65. Thomas Bjorn Note: Veteran links player will have the short game but likely not the length to compete at St. Andrews. |
| 66. Alexander Noren Note: Two-time Nordea Masters champ will look to post his second top-10 at the Open this week. |
| 67. John Senden Note: Solid ballstriker who has yet to figure out the links style courses. |
| 68. Thongchai Jaidee Note: Has made plenty of Open cuts but has just one career top-25. |
| 69. Ben Martin Note: Great putter finished T26 at his first Open Championship last year. |
| 70. Alexander Levy Note: First timer at the Open; Was T27 at the U.S. Open last month. |
| 71. Eddie Pepperell Note: Lost in playoff at the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open to Soren Kjeldsen. |
| 72. Thomas Aiken Note: T8 in 2012 Open Championship, celebrates 32nd birthday this week. |
| 73. Russell Henley Note: Free-wheeling player has made one of two cuts at the Open, his best a T73 in 2013. |
| 74. Retief Goosen Note: Has a stellar Open record and returns after missing the past two Opens. |
LONG SHOTS
| 75. Tyrrell Hatton Note: 23-year-old has missed all three cuts at the Open. |
| 76. Robert Streb Note: First time Open Championship start, entering with nice form. |
| 77. Jonas Blixt Note: Tied for 26th at his first Open in 2013, but missed the cut last season. |
| 78. Pablo Larrazabal Note: Spaniard just won the BMW International Open over Henrik Stenson in late June. |
| 79. Daniel Berger Note: Berger has played his way into the Open and enjoying a great rookie season on the PGA Tour. |
| 80. Brian Harman Note: Tied for 26th coming off his maiden victory at last year's John Deere Classic. |
| 81. Steven Bowditch Note: Aussie won AT&T Byron Nelson in May. |
| 82. David Lingmerth Note: Lingmerth won the Memorial Tournament for his first PGA Tour victory in May. |
| 83. Soren Kjeldsen Note: Won 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in playoff. |
| 84. Mikko Ilonen Note: Weak Open Championship record but won Volvo World Match Play in 2014. |
| 85. Marcel Siem Note: Finished 12th at the 2014 U.S. Open, Siem's best Open Championship finish is T27 in 2010 at St. Andrews. |
| 86. Matteo Manassero Note: T19 at last year's Open, Manassero is just 22 years old but has 14 majors of experience under his belt. |
| 87. Kiradech Aphibarnrat Note: Making his third Open appearance and will look to make the cut for the first time. |
| 88. Morgan Hoffmann Note: First appearance at the Open after two straight top-30s in majors this season. |
| 89. Matt Jones Note: Made cut in first Open last season, finishing T54. Two third place finishes this season. |
| 90. Paul Lawrie Note: 1999 Open champion has done little at this event since his triumph. |
| 91. Carl Pettersson Note: In solid form and holds one career top-10 at the Open Championship. |
| 92. Anirban Lahiri Note: Finished 31st in maiden Open Championship in 2012 but missed cut in 2014. |
| 93. Cameron Tringale Note: Contended at Zurich Classic this season; missed cut in first Open last year. |
| 94. Stewart Cink Note: 2009 Open champion has made five of his last six Open cuts. |
| 95. Darren Clarke Note: 2011 Open champion has great links record including two made cuts at the Old Course. |
| 96. Marcus Fraser Note: Making fifth Open Championship start; best finish a T35 in 2006. |
| 97. Bernhard Langer Note: Timeless veteran was top-5 at St. Andrews in 2005 but has two missed cuts since. |
| 98. Romain Wattel Note: Young 24 year old is making his first Open start. |
| 99. Matt Every Note: Won back-to-back Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2014 and 2015. |
| 100. Edoardo Molinari Note: Brother of Francesco, Edoardo tied for 7th last year at the Open. |
| 101. Scott Hend Note: Making his second Open appearance, his first since 2005. |
| 102. Ollie Schniederjans Note: Top-ranked amateur earned trips to U.S. Open and Open Championship by earning McCormack Medal. |
| 103. Greg Chalmers Note: Playing Open for first time since 2012. |
| 104. Anthony Wall Note: Making sixth Open start, first since 2009. |
| 105. Wen-Chong Liang Note: First Open start since 2009, where he missed the cut. |
| 106. Koumei Oda Note: Tied for 39th last year to go with three other missed cuts at the Open |
| 107. Rod Pampling Note: Finished runner-up to Jordan Spieth at Emirates Australian Open to earn his first Open start since 2009. |
| 108. Ryan Fox Note: Fought through a playoff at Final Qualifying at Gailes Links on June 30 for his first major. |
| 109. Gary Boyd Note: Fourth at the 2010 Alfred Dunhill Links, where two of the four rounds are played at St Andrews. |
| 110. James Hahn Note: Sixth place finish the Greenbrier Classic booked his trip to St. Andrews. |
| 111. David Hearn Note: Lost in playoff at The Greenbrier Classic to narrowly make the field. |
| 112. Hiroshi Iwata Note: Returned to The Open last July six years after playing at Royal Birkdale, winning the Open Qualifying Series event in Thailand. |
| 113. Raphael Jacquelin Note: Joint second place in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open on Sunday to qualify. |
| 114. Rikard Karlberg Note: A closing 64 at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open on Sunday brought Karlberg an Open debut. |
| 115. James Morrison Note: Finished runner-up to Bernd Wiesberger at the Alstom French Open to get in the field. |
| 116. Greg Owen Note: A climb back into the world's top 200 paid off for Mansfield-born Owen at the PGA Tour's Greenbrier Classic. |
| 117. Richie Ramsay Note: Won the 2006 U.S. Amateur. |
| 118. Kevin Streelman Note: Replaced Chris Kirk as an alternate to slip in the Open field. |
| 119. Jaco Van Zyl Note: South African amateur champion in 2000. |
| 120. John Daly Note: Former 1995 Open champion at St. Andrews, Daly will relish in his return to St. Andrews. |
| 121. Brett Rumford Note: The 37-year-old was third in the Emirates Australian Open to notch his fifth start in The Open, but his first at St Andrews. |
| 122. Justin Leonard Note: 1997 Open champion at Royal Troon. |
| 123. Tom Watson Note: Five-time Open champ will go down as arguably the greatest links player of all time; making final start in 40th Open appearance. |
| 124. Tadahiro Takayama Note: Finished joint 23rd on his Open Championship debut at St Andrews in 2005. |
| 125. Yuta Ikeda Note: Earned his first start in The Open for four years with a one-stroke victory at the Japan Open last October. |
| 126. Taichi Teshima Note: Back in The Open after 13-year gap following win at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open. |
| 127. Hiroyuki Fujita Note: Finished second on Japan Tour money list to make Open appearance. |
| 128. Jonathan Moore Note: Earned his spot by holing a 20-foot putt for joint sixth place in the Thailand Golf Championship. |
| 129. Jordan Niebrugge Note: Will be making his Open Championship debut, but played in last year's US Masters after winning the US Public Links title in 2013. |
| 130. Ben Curtis Note: Won 2003 Open at Royal St Georges in first Open appearance. |
| 131. Scott Strange Note: Playing first Open Championship in seven years after second place finish at the Japan Tour's Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open. |
| 132. David Lipsky Note: Won the Omega European Masters in Switzerland in a playoff. |
| 133. Daniel Brooks Note: Finished top-10 at last week's Scottish Open to earn one of the final spots. |
| 134. Rafael Cabrera-Bello Note: Shot a back-nine 29 at the Alstom French Open for the last of the three qualifying places. |
| 135. Russell Knox Note: Beneficiary of Rory McIlroy's withdrawal, Knox will look to take advantage at St. Andrews. |
| 136. Danny Lee Note: Won the Greenbier Classic in a playoff and then nearly won the John Deere Classic the following week. |
| 137. Tom Lehman Note: Missed The Open last year for the first time since his 1996 Open Championship victory. |
| 138. Todd Hamilton Note: Surprise 2004 Open champion. |
| 139. Robert Dinwiddie Note: Holds course record 63 during the 2008 PGA Championship at Wentworth. |
| 140. Ashley Chesters Note: In the past 20 years, Tiger Woods and Edoardo Molinari are the only other amateurs to have qualified for back-to-back Opens. |
| 141. Romain Langasque Note: Nineteen year old Frenchman won the 2014 British Amateur. |
| 142. Tom Gillis Note: Made the last spot with a playoff loss at last week's John Deere Classic. |
| 143. David Duval Note: Became World No. 1 in 1999 and went on to win 2001 Open by three shots. |
| 144. Pelle Edberg Note: Returns for first time since 2008 thanks to a joint first place finish in the 36-hole Final Qualifying at Hillside on June 30. |
| 145. Mark Young Note: Three-time Lancashire amateur champion and five-time Northern Order of Merit winner |
| 146. Paul Dunne Note: Irishman was the only amateur to come through Final Qualifying. |
| 147. Mark O'Meara Note: At 41 became the oldest player to win two Majors in one season which included the 1998 Open Championship. |
| 148. Scott Arnold Note: Tied for first in 36-hole Final Qualifying at Hillside and will make his major debut at the Home of Golf. |
| 149. Paul Kinnear Note: Shed tears of joy in the Final Qualifying at Gailes Links after making a birdie in a playoff to secure a spot in the Open. |
| 150. Shinji Tomimura Note: Tied for third at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open to make his Open debut. |
| 151. Ben Taylor Note: Finished tied for first in the Final Qualifying event at Royal Cinque Ports. |
| 152. Adam Bland Note: Back in the Open Championship after a nine-year gap thanks to his second place on this season's Japan Tour money list. |
| 153. Mark Calcavecchia Note: 1989 Open champion after losing the 1988 Masters in disappointing fashion. |
| 154. Gunn Yang Note: Won US Amateur Championship last August. |
| 155. Alister Balcombe Note: Shot 67-70 at Final Qualifying at Royal Cinque Ports to earn a spot. |
| 156. Sandy Lyle Note: Became first British winner at the Open since Tony Jacklin in 1969 when he won in 1985. |
| 157. Nick Faldo Note: Former great will play with recent Scottish Open winner Rickie Fowler and Justin Rose. |
