British Open capsules

A capsule look at top players who could contend in the British Open, to be played Thursday-Sunday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England:

Trevor Immelman

Age: 28. Country: South Africa

World ranking: 15.

Majors: Masters (2007)

Best result at a British Open: T15 at St. Andrews in 2005.

2008 Majors: Masters-1, US Open-T65

Worldwide victories: 9.

British Open highlight: Has never missed the cut in five appearances.

British Open lowlight: Has never broken par in the final round.

Noteworthy: The last British Open champion at Royal Birkdale also won the Masters (Mark O'Meara) that year.

Geoff Ogilvy

Age: 31. Country: Australia.

World ranking: 4.

Majors: U.S. Open (2006).

Best result at a British Open: T5 at St. Andrews in 2005.

2008 Majors: Masters-T39, US Open-T9.

Worldwide victories: 6.

British Open highlight: Going 67-69 on the weekend at St. Andrews in 2005 to tie for fifth.

British Open lowlight: Making his debut in 1999 at Carnoustie with an 81.

Noteworthy: In the last 50 majors, he's the only winner from Australia.

Sergio Garcia

Age: 28. Country: Spain

World ranking: 7.

Majors: None.

Best result at a British Open: Playoff loss at Carnoustie in 2007.

2008 Majors: Masters-MC, US Open-T18

Worldwide victories: 17.

British Open highlight: Getting into a playoff with Padraig Harrington at Carnoustie.

British Open lowlight: Losing the playoff and whining about never getting any breaks.

Noteworthy: He has finished in the top five at the last three British Opens.

Ernie Els

Age: 38. Country: South Africa

World ranking: 6.

Majors: US Open (1994, 1997), British Open (2002).

Best result at a British Open: Won.

2008 Majors: Masters-MC, US Open-T14.

Worldwide victories: 60.

British Open highlight: Winning at Muirfield in the only sudden-death finish ever at a British Open playoff.

British Open lowlight: Going head to head with Todd Hamilton over the final 40 holes at Royal Troon before losing in a playoff.

Noteworthy: Has finished runner-up to Tiger Woods seven times, more than any other player.

Justin Rose

Age: 27. Country: England

World ranking: 9.

Majors: None.

Best result at a British Open: T4 in 1998.

2008 Majors: Masters-T36, US Open-MC.

Worldwide victories: 6.

British Open highlight: Pitching in for birdie on the 18th hole at Royal Birkdale to tie for fourth as a 17-year-old amateur.

British Open lowlight: Turning pro the day after Birkdale and missing the cut in his next 21 tournaments.

Noteworthy: He has not had a top-10 finish at the British Open since turning pro.

Phil Mickelson

Age: 38. Country: United States.

World ranking: 2.

Majors: Masters (2004, 2006), PGA Championship (2005).

Best result at a British Open: 3rd at Royal Troon.

2008 Majors: Masters-T5, US Open-T18.

Worldwide victories: 35.

British Open highlight: Finishing one shot out of a playoff at Royal Troon in 2004, his only top 10 in the British Open.

British Open lowlight: An 85 in the third round at Royal Birkdale in 1998, his highest score as a professional.

Noteworthy: In 15 appearances at the British Open, he has finished only three tournaments under par.

Adam Scott

Age: 28. Country: Australia.

World ranking: 3.

Majors: None.

Best result at a British Open: T8 at Royal Liverpool in 2006.

2008 Majors: Masters-T25, US Open-T26.

Worldwide victories: 15.

British Open highlight: Making his major championship debut at St. Andrews in 2000.

British Open lowlight: Failing to break par on the Old Course to miss the cut.

Noteworthy: Has not finished in the top 10 of a major since 2006, the only player in the world's top 10 with such a streak.