The Open 2012: possible suprise packages
Nick Bonfield assesses some possible suprise packages for the 2012 Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes
Most of the talk in the lead up to the Open in centred on the usual suspects - Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood - and understandably so.
Woods recently became the only player with three PGA Tour victories in 2012, and the others are realistic British hopes and the top three in the Official World Golf Ranking.
However, with media pressure weighing heavy on Donald and Westwood, Woods' inconsistency and McIlroy's discord for the Open Championship, expect some other faces to feature.
Rickie Fowler is someone who could well contend. Last year, he surprised the golfing world by playing some phenomenal golf - which included a third round 68 in horrendous conditions - en route to a tie for 5th at Royal St George's.
He showed a real maturity and some brilliant shotmaking to accompany his fine putting stroke.
He won for the first time on the PGA Tour at this season's Wells Fargo Championship and is in good form; currently 11th in the Fedex Cup standings with five top-tens to accompany his maiden victory.
Ian Poulter and Francesco Molinari are also in good form, with the latter playing his last 35 holes on tour in 19-under-par.
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Raphael Jacquelin also warrants a mention, especially with odds of upwards of 150/1. The Frenchman came third last week at Le Golf National and showed an aptitude for the links last year, returning an 8th placed finish at Royal St George's.
The big guns may well fire, but don't be surprised if someone repeats Louis Oosthuizen's achievement in 2010 - winning from outside the world's top 50.
Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
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