BBC Sportgolf

World number two Phil Mickelson will see Woods's absence as a chance to add to his three major titles.

But Mickelson, who has never won the Open, missed the cut last year and has only had one top 10 in 15 Open appearances.

Australian Adam Scott, the world number four, is still chasing a first major and has a lacklustre record in the big four events.

Third-ranked Geoff Ogilvy, Australia's 2006 US Open champion, has the credentials after a fifth place in 2005, while South African world number five Ernie Els, the 2002 champion, is a proven Open performer and will be near to the top of the betting.