Shapiro's Best British Bets

1. Sergio Garcia - He's definitely due, especially after his wrenching playoff loss to Padraig Harrington in the 2007 Open at Carnoustie. He's putting the way he did when he first turned pro 10 years ago, and he may be the best tee-to-green ball striker in the game.

2. Phil Mickelson - If he'd just stop thinking and started using his instincts and big-time talent, he'd surely have won several more majors. This week he's got the driver back in the bag, and that's a good thing, at least if he uses it.

3. Anthony Kim - He's going to win major championships, and he's won two of his last five starts on extremely difficult golf courses. Royal Birkdale falls in that category, and if Kim can handle links golf, he's got a shot.

4. Ernie Els - His game has started to show signs of life and he knows without Tiger in the field -- The Man who keeps beating him for major titles -- this might be a grand chance to add a second British and fourth major to his resume.

5. Jim Furyk - After missing five straight British cuts from 2001 to 2005, he's apparently started to get comfortable with life on the links. He was fourth at Hoylake two years ago and 12th last year at Carnoustie.

6. Lee Westwood - With four top five finishes in his last seven tournaments, including third place at Torrey Pines, a shot out of the playoff, Westwood offers the best chance for a Brit to win the British Open.

7. Geoff Ogilvy - Now No. 3 in the world, Ogilvy comes to Birkdale well rested. He hasn't played tournament golf since he tied for ninth at Torrey Pines, his third straight top ten finish. He came here last week and played three different links courses in the area, so he should be well prepared.

8. Justin Rose - As a 17-year-old, he holed out from the rough for a birdie at the 72nd hole here at Birkdale and tied for fourth in '98, his best finish in a major championship. After Westwood, he's the second best bet for a British champion.

9. Justin Leonard - He won the '97 British Open at Troon and says his form is back to the way it was in the days when he was a bright young star on the American PGA Tour. A long shot, yes, but clearly worth a look, especially after winning in Memphis last month.

10. Padraig Harrington - It's tough to win back-to-back majors, but the wee Irishman demonstrated a year ago at Carnoustie that he can handle anything links golf can throw at him, including a double bogey at the 72nd hole that nevertheless was good enough to get him in a playoff he won against Garcia.