TIGER WOODS
Age: 27
Country: United States
World ranking: 1
Worldwide victories: 45
Majors: Masters ('97, '01, '02), U.S. Open ('00, '02), British Open ('00), PGA Championship ('99, '00)
2003 Majors: Masters-T18, U.S. Open-T20
British Open appearances: 8
Best finish: Won
Backspin: First time he doesn't own a major championship since he went to the 1999 PGA Championship — and won. ... Coming off his PGA Tour-high fourth victory of the year at the Western Open. ... Has said all year his game has been close, and it's a matter of seeing a few putts fall. ... Victory would allow him to join Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win the career Grand Slam at least two times over.

JUSTIN ROSE
Age: 22
Country: England.
World ranking: 34
Worldwide victories: 4
Majors: None
2003 Majors: Masters-T39, U.S. Open-T5
British Open appearances: 4
Best finish: T4
Backspin: No Englishman has won the British Open in England since Tony Jacklin in 1969 at Royal Lytham. ... The search starts with Rose, a blossoming player coming off a strong performance at Olympia Fields. ... Best known for his chip-in for birdie and a tie for fourth at Royal Birkdale as a 17-year-old amateur. ... Should get even better results this time.

DAVID TOMS
Age: 36
Country: United States
World ranking: 7
Worldwide victories: 9
Majors: PGA Championship ('01)
2003 Majors: Masters-T8, U.S. Open-T5
British Open appearances: 3
Best finish: T4
Backspin: A two-time winner on the PGA Tour this year, his ball flight and patience are a good blend for the British Open. ... Has had back problems that could set him back, but often plays his best while injured. ... Has been building toward another major victory.

MIKE WEIR
Age: 33
Country: Canada
World ranking: 3
Worldwide victories: 8
Majors: Masters ('03)
2003 Majors: Masters-Won, U.S. Open-T3
British Open appearances: 3
Best finish: T52
Backspin: Having a breakthrough year, and his performance at the U.S. Open showed he's not satisfied with one major. ... Always figured British Open gave him one of his best shots in a major, especially with his iron play. ... Short game will be key for the mini-Maple Leaf.

VIJAY SINGH
Age: 40
Country: Fiji
World ranking: 5
Worldwide victories: 34
Majors: Masters ('00), PGA Championship ('98)
2003 Majors: Masters-T6, U.S. Open-T20.
British Open appearances: 14
Best finish: T6
Backspin: Claret jug might be the grandest prize of all for the big Fijian, whose career was reborn in Europe. ... Tied major championship record with a 63 at Olympia Fields, but dropped out of contention with a 78 in the final round. ... British gallery likely will be more tolerant of his Annika Sorenstam comments. ... Has all the shots to win.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON
Age: 31
Country: Ireland
World ranking: 9
Worldwide victories: 8
Majors: None
2003 Majors: Masters-T13, U.S. Open-T10
British Open appearances: 7
Best finish: T5
Backspin: Has emerged as Europe's best player, although has been suspect when in contention at a major. Obsessed with tuning his swing, replacing Vijay Singh as the hardest worker in golf. ... Not one to get wrapped up in anything but hitting the ball where he wants it to go.

ERNIE ELS
Age: 33.
Country: South Africa.
World ranking: 2.
Worldwide victories: 43.
Majors: U.S. Open ('94, '97), British Open ('02).
2003 Majors: Masters-T6, U.S. Open-T5.
British Open appearances: 12.
Best finish: Won.
Backspin: Will try to become first repeat winner of the British Open since Tom Watson in 1983. ... Won four of his first five tournaments, but his game has been off just slightly during the week of the majors. ... Shot all four rounds in the 60s at Royal St. George's in 1993 and tied for sixth.

RETIEF GOOSEN
Age: 34.
Country: South Africa.
World ranking: 12.
Worldwide victories: 17.
Majors: U.S. Open ('01).
2003 Majors: Masters-T13, U.S. Open-T42.
British Open appearances: 8.
Best finish: T8.
Backspin: Made his British Open debut at Royal St. George's and missed the cut. ... Syrupy swing — "Little Easy" — generates underrated power, but his iron game is what gives him his best chance. ... Very cool under pressure.

JIM FURYK
Age: 33.
Country: United States.
World ranking: 4.
Worldwide victories: 9.
Majors: U.S. Open ('03).
2003 Majors: Masters-4, U.S. Open-1
British Open appearances: 7.
Best finish: 4.
Backspin: His dozen finishes in the top 10 before the British Open is one short of the record held by Lee Trevino and Tom Kite. ... A game suited for links golf, which low ball flight and extreme accuracy. ... Short game will be put to the test. ... Trying to become the first player since Tom Watson in 1982 to win U.S. and British Open in the same year.

NICK PRICE
Age: 46.
Country: Zimbabwe.
World ranking: 10.
Worldwide victories: 41.
Majors: British Open ('94), PGA Championship ('92, '94).
2003 Majors: Masters-T23, U.S. Open-T5.
British Open appearances: 23.
Best finish: Won.
Backspin: Could be his last good chance at a major this year. ... Has six top 10s this year, including close calls in Dallas, Memphis, Riviera and Olympia Fields. ... Has great vision of how to play the hole, and his shotmaking remains superb. ... Putting has improved, which is why he has been in contention so often — and has a good chance this week.

SERGIO GARCIA
Age: 23.
Country: Spain.
World ranking: 15.
Worldwide victories: 9.
Majors: None.
2003 Majors: Masters-T28, U.S. Open-T35.
British Open appearances: 6.
Best finish: T8.
Backspin: Majors were about the only tournaments where he made a cut until his T4 at the Buick Classic. That shows his swing changes remain a work in progress, and that he can raise his game for the majors. ... Accuracy off the tee will help, but confidence in his putter can make up for a lot.

BRAD FAXON
Age: 41.
Country: United States.
World ranking: 31.
Worldwide victories: 8.
Majors: None.
2003 Majors: Masters-T23, U.S. Open-MC.
British Open appearances: 11.
Best finish: 7.
Backspin: In the year of players winning a major for the first time, Faxon is the sentimental favorite at the British Open. ... Loves links golf, to the point he plays other courses during Open practice rounds, and once tried to local qualify, only to fail and return home to defend his title in the B.C. Open. ... Can be a little loose off the tee, but capable of getting into the hunt on Sunday.

DAVIS LOVE III
Age: 39.
Country: United States.
World ranking: 6.
Worldwide victories: 19.
Majors: PGA Championship ('97).
2003 Majors: Masters-T15, U.S. Open-MC.
British Open appearances: 16.
Best finish: T7.
Backspin: Three victories by April, but his year has been shaky since. ... Had to cope with suicide by brother-in-law, and old neck and back injuries are nagging him. ... Would rather win the British Open than any other major because of its history, but he had to shoot a final round in the 60s to get his three top 10s.

DARREN CLARKE
Age: 34.
Country: Northern Ireland.
World ranking: 26.
Worldwide victories: 13.
Majors: None.
2003 Majors: Masters-T28, U.S. Open-T42
British Open appearances: 12.
Best finish: T2.
Backspin: His best chance at a major came at Royal Troon in 1987, and the burly, cigar-smoking Clarke has been teasing everyone with his talent ever since. ... Strong player, can get hot with the putter. ... Must show he can hold up over four rounds.

DAVID DUVAL
Age: 31.
Country: United States.
World ranking: 86.
Worldwide victories: 14.
Majors: British Open ('01).
2003 Majors: Masters-MC, U.S. Open-MC.
British Open appearances: 8.
Best finish: Won.
Backspin: Has missed the cut in four of his last six majors, and defines what a slump really is. ... Problem primarily off the tee, but has been working on his game and has shown occasional signs of piecing his game back together. ... Always a good putter, could find some momentum at Royal St. George's and see where it takes him.