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Ranking The Open field: World-class talents chase their 1st Claret Jug

Andrew Redington / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The year's third major is almost here.

The 147th Open Championship begins Thursday at Carnoustie Golf Links in Carnoustie, Scotland. A field of 156 of the world's best golfers will take on the iconic links track, often referred to as Car-nasty because of its susceptibility to high winds, its treacherous bunkers, and its thick fescue.

It's going to take four days of elite ball striking, scrambling, focus, and perseverance to earn Champion Golfer of the Year honors, a title granted to The Open champion since 1860.

Here, we rank the top 10 in the field (betting odds in parentheses).

10. Rory McIlroy (18-1)

McIlroy can't be excluded from this top 10, regardless of his current form. The 2014 champ returns to Carnoustie - site of his first appearance at the event when he was 18 - striking the ball well but putting horrendously. Perhaps Carnoustie's slow greens will be a welcome change for his struggling flatstick.

9. Alex Noren (28-1)

Noren remains unfamiliar to North Americans despite being ranked 11th in the world. His best results have come overseas, including his win three weeks ago at the Open de France. The 36-year-old Swede tied for sixth at last year's Open and is set up perfectly to pick up his first career major at Carnoustie.

8. Tiger Woods (25-1)

If Tiger is going to win this season, the time is now. A baked-out Carnoustie will keep his driver in the bag, allowing him to play from the fairway more often and take advantage of his incredible approach game. The three-time Open winner has more experience playing links golf than 99 percent of the field, a huge edge when it comes to determining the Champion Golfer of the Year.

7. Patrick Reed (40-1)

Reed is becoming a threat in every major, regardless of the event or where it is played. He's a combined 17-under in his last three, nine shots better than anyone else. Reed's ability to scramble well and putt brilliantly gives him a great shot at claiming his second major this season.

6. Brooks Koepka (22-1)

Big-game hunter Koepka is ready to win back-to-back majors. His track record is similar to Reed's, except even more impressive: He's averaging a top 10 finish over the last 10 majors he's played, including his two U.S. Open wins. Koepka's last two Open appearances yielded top 10 finishes as well. He earned his stripes in Europe before coming to the PGA Tour, so he's accustomed to the style of golf required to win an Open.

5. Tommy Fleetwood (22-1)

Fleetwood might be England's best chance at claiming The Open this week. The 27-year-old holds the course-record 63 at Carnoustie, but he's missed three of the last four Open cuts. However, he's certainly a different golfer than he was a few years ago, and he's coming off a solo-second finish at the U.S. Open, giving him a strong chance to hoist the Claret Jug.

4. Rickie Fowler (18-1)

Fowler remains the best golfer yet to win a major, and that all could change this week. The 2014 runner-up loves links golf and it shows in his Open results and his play at the Scottish Open. Fowler's accuracy off the tee and remarkable wedge play fit could put him in an unfamiliar position: not being the one congratulating a friend for winning a major.

3. Jon Rahm (20-1)

Rahm's week can go two ways. He could hit the ball exceptionally well, avoid the big number, and keep a calm demeanor while contending all week. On the other hand, he could struggle, find pot bunkers or fescue, and eject on Friday to miss the cut. Expect the first scenario. He followed up his missed cut at the U.S. Open with back-to-back top-five results in Europe.

2. Justin Rose (16-1)

Shockingly, Rose's highest finish at the Open came when he was an amateur - he tied for fourth in 1998. However, Rose is now playing the best golf of his career. He ranks behind only Dustin Johnson in scoring average and strokes gained: total this season, and he's putting better than ever before. It would be a shock if he finishes outside the top five at Carnoustie.

1. Dustin Johnson (12-1)

Johnson is the odds-on favorite, and deservedly so. He's been crushing this season in all aspects, exuding dominance week in and week out. If he is firing on all cylinders, nothing will stand between DJ and the Claret Jug.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
(Odds courtesy: bet365)

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