Previewing The Tiger-less British Open

The 2008 British Open is the only major championship since 1996 that we can say with certainty, "Tiger Woods will not be winning." With the best player in the world out for the rest of the season, it will be interesting to see what type of golfer steps up to claim the Claret Jug.

Will it be a top tier golfer, pouncing on the major without the best around? Will it be an up-and-comer that could use the British breakthrough? Could we see another stealth golfer steal the jug away from the field, unknown to everyone except the guy that puts the media guides together?

Here are a few to watch this week at Royal Birkdale, their best finish and something about them.

• Sergio Garcia -- 2 -- The favorite this week, Garcia (pictured) is going to win a major at some point in his career and it seems this would be the time to do it. Last year Garcia let it slip away at Carnoustie, but he has always played well at this tournament, finishing in the top-10 six out of the last seven years. If Sergio is putting well, you can go ahead and start engraving.

• Ernie Els -- WON -- The Big Easy has made it anything but at majors since his Open Championship win in 2002. A ton of disappointing runner-up finishes, Els has continued his consistent play at the British, but of the seven top-3 finishes, he's only grabbed the trophy once. So, basically, he continues to take the hottest girls in the world on dates but isn't a finisher.

• Phil Mickelson -- 3 -- How can you bank on a guy that has only one top-10 ever at the British Open? Lefty has continued his steady approach to the Open, but his style of play just doesn't translate on links courses. He will have to hit a ton of fairways at Birkdale to have a chance, something that hasn't exactly been the feather in his cap.

• Lee Westwood -- 4 -- For an Englishman that has had so much success in golf, it's crazy to think he's only finished in the top-10 twice ever at the Open. After just missing out on the playoff at the U.S. Open by a shot, a lot of people have him high on their list. He said he's never had a putting week where he was rolling it well all four days, so if he does that, watch out, because he hits it good enough to keep up.

• Andres Romero -- 3 -- The 27-year-old phenom might be a long shot, but he's finished in the top-10 both times he's played the British. Romero won his first PGA Tour title at New Orleans earlier this year and might just be the guy the tour needs to give it a Red Bull boost without Woods around.

• Justin Rose -- t-4 -- In 1998, Rose stole the show at Royal Birkdale, finishing in a tie for 4th as an amateur after holing a shot from the fairway on the 18th hole. Since then, he's been as successful as Y2K software. Enjoys tight shirts, holing from bunkers and really tight shirts.

• Padraig Harrington -- WON -- The defending champion would be just as high a favorite as anyone if it wasn't for those stupid impact bags. Harrington was practicing with one of those yellow nightmares and hurt his wrist, which drops his chances dramatically. If he can play without re-injuring the wrist, he'd be scary come Sunday.

• John Daly -- WON -- A two-time major champion, Daly has the length off the tee to contend at a course that makes you hit......ahahahaha, who am I kidding? A better chance he hits a drive off a Strongbow can than contends for this bad boy.