By Iain Carter BBC Sport golf correspondent

As the old Claret Jug is handed over, the happy recipient will, in time-honoured fashion, be deemed the 'Champion Golfer of the Year'.

And more often than not the accolade is entirely appropriate.

The Open has the uncanny knack of identifying the very best - rarely does this most coveted of trophies end up on an undeserving mantelpiece.

No one could argue with Ernie Els' credentials last year, even though he had to come through a four-way play-off to secure his third major title.

Woods is the man to beat but Els will relish his title defence Iain Carter Who do the other pundits pick?

The two-time US Open champion had long since been identified as a potential winner of the oldest of the four majors and his Muirfield success was due reward.

Just as it was 12 months earlier for David Duval at Lytham. The American had occupied the upper echelons of the world rankings for a sufficiently sustained period to make him a justifiable champion.

And, of course, the same can be said of the 2000 winner - a certain Tiger Woods, who is again the short odds favourite for Royal St George's.

The world number one's recent five-shot victory at the Western Open, his fourth win of the year, suggests those who feel he's in a slump are way off the mark.

Certainly for any other player that would be the case, but by his standards disappointing showings at the Masters and the US Open means that 2003 has yet to live up to expectations.

That could all change on the fast running fairways of Sandwich, which may provide just the course set-up to reward Woods' shot making and more conservative approach these days.

South African Trevor Immelman could also be one to watch

Even so, the evidence of his career suggests he will need to be in contention from the very start because he has yet to successfully play catch-up to win a major title.

Woods is the man to beat, but Els will relish his title defence.

Phil Mickelson told me recently that he believes the new low spinning ball he is using can make all the difference and is very upbeat about his chances of ending his major drought.

Padraig Harrington looks to be Europe's leading contender.

But young guns Justin Rose and Paul Casey both have the temperament to challenge and Darren Clarke's affinity with links golf means he can never be discounted.

And as an outside tip, there's South Africa's Trevor Immelman.

The 23-year-old is highly regarded by his peers, finished second in the Volvo PGA at Wentworth and, perhaps most significantly in 1997, was runner-up in the British Amateur Championship when it was staged at Royal St George's.

Immelman looks worth an each-way investment and I'd go for Woods to win - after all we are talking about the Champion Golfer of the Year.