Sky Sports | Golf | The Open | While the Tigers away

Westwood: a revelation

Our best hope is Lee Westwood, whose form over the last year has been a revelation.

Ewen Murray

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All eyes now on Royal Birkdale and with the superb organisation of the powers that be at The Royal and Ancient, I'm sure our Open will once again be a championship to be proud of.

While the cat, or Tiger, in this case is away, the mice will play - and let's hope some of our promising young home talent make the most of Woods' enforced absence.

Paul Casey's schedule has raised some eyebrows and I'm sure I'm not the only one to be surprised at him not playing in France, The London Club or Loch Lomond, especially in Ryder Cup year.

Luke Donald's injury has robbed him of a chance of a maiden major, but for the likes of Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and others, Birkdale offers a wonderful opportunity to join golf's exclusive club.

Ghosts

One of the strong favourites must be Sergio. The new Players' Champion has found some form on the greens and with his creativity in his approach work, the Spaniard should tee up on Thursday full of confidence and belief that he can lay last year's ghosts to rest.

I've watched Ernie Els closely since he made some much needed changes to his normally elegant swing.

His basics are once again sound and with the fine play he enjoyed at Loch Lomond, Ernie should be there on Sunday afternoon. His putting has been at best, average, but much of that is down to confidence.

His play over the last few months has restricted that element, but putting on seaside greens is down to imagination and the fact Els has got the job done before will be of much comfort to him.

The highest-ranked player is Phil Mickelson, but is he a straight enough driver to contend?

Therein lies his key to success, because there is no doubts about his ability around the greens or in indeed his temperament. A win for the popular American will give him 75 per cent of a Grand Slam.

Revelation

Our best hope is Lee Westwood, whose form over the last year has been a revelation.

I believe the amount of times he has been in contention during that time should have produced more than one win, but in finishing second, it's not always your fault.

For instance, at the HSBC in Shanghai, Lee was 12 shots behind and 11 holes to play, yet still managed to get into a play-off before succumbing to a Mickelson birdie.

I don't think he can be blamed for just missing out after his marvellous performance at Torrey Pines either.

I have a feeling next week will be a good one for Ian Poulter and like Westwood, he will enjoy huge home support. Ian needs a low round to remind him that he can cut it with the best.

I sense a maturity in Ian, and I have no doubt his best golf lies ahead of him.

Let's hope it's a championship that has it all and at the end of it, European golf will have much to celebrate, because lets face it, when Tiger returns, it will be business as usual.