This article is part of our Major Power Rankings series.
Below are our 2014 British Open rankings. This list is geared toward winner-take-all leagues and leagues that reward the lowest aggregate score, but it can serve other leagues as well, no matter the nuances.
| 1. Rory McIlroy Note: Finished 3rd at the Open Championship in 2010 and notched six top-10s on the PGA Tour in 10 starts. |
| 2. Adam Scott Note: Scott has elevated his game since winning the Masters in 2013 and finished 3rd and 2nd in his last two Open starts. |
| 3. Justin Rose Note: A recent winner at the Quicken Loans National, Rose is a clear favorite with his ballstriking prowess and elevated play since his 2013 U.S. Open triumph. |
| 4. Martin Kaymer Note: Won both The Players Championship and the U.S. Open in convincing fashion, Kaymer is at the height of his powers and will look to add a third major since 2010. |
| 5. Phil Mickelson Note: After a magical Sunday 66 to win his first Open Championship last year, Mickelson will defend his title but has yet to post a top-10 finish this season. |
| 6. Tiger Woods Note: After missing the cut in his return from an 11-week back injury layoff, Woods is clearly a wildcard but the last time the Open was at Royal Liverpool he raised the Claret Jug. |
| 7. Henrik Stenson Note: Top-15s at both the majors this season and a runner-up at Muirfield last year but the Swede on the short list to win at Royal Liverpool |
| 8. Jason Day Note: |
Below are our 2014 British Open rankings. This list is geared toward winner-take-all leagues and leagues that reward the lowest aggregate score, but it can serve other leagues as well, no matter the nuances.
| 1. Rory McIlroy Note: Finished 3rd at the Open Championship in 2010 and notched six top-10s on the PGA Tour in 10 starts. |
| 2. Adam Scott Note: Scott has elevated his game since winning the Masters in 2013 and finished 3rd and 2nd in his last two Open starts. |
| 3. Justin Rose Note: A recent winner at the Quicken Loans National, Rose is a clear favorite with his ballstriking prowess and elevated play since his 2013 U.S. Open triumph. |
| 4. Martin Kaymer Note: Won both The Players Championship and the U.S. Open in convincing fashion, Kaymer is at the height of his powers and will look to add a third major since 2010. |
| 5. Phil Mickelson Note: After a magical Sunday 66 to win his first Open Championship last year, Mickelson will defend his title but has yet to post a top-10 finish this season. |
| 6. Tiger Woods Note: After missing the cut in his return from an 11-week back injury layoff, Woods is clearly a wildcard but the last time the Open was at Royal Liverpool he raised the Claret Jug. |
| 7. Henrik Stenson Note: Top-15s at both the majors this season and a runner-up at Muirfield last year but the Swede on the short list to win at Royal Liverpool |
| 8. Jason Day Note: A 4th place showing at the U.S. Open signaled he's ready to put his thumb injury behind him and resume his quest for his first major. |
| 9. Sergio Garcia Note: Seven career top-10s at the Open Championship for the world-class ballstriker put him near the top of the rankings. Was in the final group Sunday with Tiger last time at Royal Liverpool. |
| 10. Jordan Spieth Note: The 20-year-old phenom has been become one of the most consistent players on tour and nearly won the Masters so he can clearly play on the big stage. |
| 11. Lee Westwood Note: Now 41, Westwood held the 54-hole lead last year but let it slip on Sunday. Getting older but still a contender on the links-style layout. |
| 12. Matt Kuchar Note: Mr. Consistency has two top-15s his last two Open Championships and still seeks his first major. |
| 13. Dustin Johnson Note: Long and a solid iron player, DJ is a great candidate to finally breakthrough as he'll have the luxury of using plenty of irons off the tee. |
| 14. Graeme McDowell Note: Other than his top-5 in 2012, McDowell has had mediocre results at the Open Championship but is still a world-class player. |
| 15. Bubba Watson Note: This year's Masters champ has more than enough length to contend but has yet to crack the top-20 at the Open Championship. |
| 16. Ian Poulter Note: Gritty competitor with English roots and has been inside the top-10 the last two years at the Open. |
| 17. Jason Dufner Note: Great ballstriker but has little to show at this event with no top-25 finishes. |
| 18. Brandt Snedeker Note: Set the 36-hole record at the Open just two years back, Sneds has his first major in his sights and has the pedigree to pull it off. |
| 19. Luke Donald Note: Two missed cuts but three top-11 finishes the last five years at this event so he's a hit-or-miss candidate this week. |
| 20. Rickie Fowler Note: Tied for runner-up at last month's U.S. Open and was Top-5 at the Masters so Fowler appears ready to breakthrough soon. |
| 21. Louis Oosthuizen Note: 2010 Open champ has done little since but possesses among the sweeter swings on tour. |
| 22. Hideki Matsuyama Note: Broke through to win the Memorial Tournament this year and was T6 at the Open last year. |
| 23. Jim Furyk Note: Hasn't performed overseas since 2008 but is a plodding player who excelled in 2006 at Royal Liverpool with a 4th place finish. |
| 24. Charl Schwartzel Note: Three top-20s at the Open Championship the last four years but has yet to contend in any major since winning the 2011 Masters. |
| 25. Keegan Bradley Note: Top-5 at the U.S. Open and former major champ but no great finishes yet at the Open Championship. |
| 26. Paul Casey Note: Won the Irish Open last June and had some decent finishes recently so Casey could be a sleeper candidate heading into Hoylake. |
| 27. Ernie Els Note: 2012 Open champ has a knack for playing well on links courses so never count out the Big Easy at the Open Championship. |
| 28. Zach Johnson Note: Top-10s at the last two Open Championships coming off great finishes the previous week at the John Deere Classic. |
| 29. Thomas Bjorn Note: Has had his share of blunders at this championship but knows links golf. |
| 30. Hunter Mahan Note: Notched two final groups in 2013 majors last season and is a great driver of the ball so keep could definitely show up at Hoylake. |
| 31. Patrick Reed Note: Three wins in the last year and a recent 54-hole lead have Reed in solid form as he heads across the pond. |
| 32. Francesco Molinari Note: A better ballstriker than his brother Edoardo, Francesco finished top-10 at last year's Open Championship at Muirfield. |
| 33. Jamie Donaldson Note: Runner-up at the WGC-Cadillac earlier this season, Donaldson is a late bloomer but has the ballstriking skills to play well this week. |
| 34. Victor Dubuisson Note: The 24-year-old Frenchman is notable for his runner-up at this year's WGC-Matchplay Championship. |
| 35. Miguel Angel Jimenez Note: The "Mechanic" was top-5 at the Masters and went on a tear of great finishes afterward including a win at the Open de Espana. |
| 36. Angel Cabrera Note: A recent winner at The Greenbrier and two-time major champion, Cabrera almost seems to be under the radar coming into majors. |
| 37. Jimmy Walker Note: Fedex Cup leader is having a standout season and has top-10s at each of the first two majors. |
| 38. Graham DeLaet Note: Young and packed with power, DeLaet has yet to contend in a major but has the game necessary to do so. |
| 39. Webb Simpson Note: Has just two Open Championship starts with mixed results but is a former major champ with upside for a second major. |
| 40. Harris English Note: Two wins already in his young career, English was T15 at last year's Open Championship which is his best finish in four major starts. |
| 41. Mikko Ilonen Note: Became the first Finn to the Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool. Nearly won the Qatar Masters in January this season. |
| 42. Bill Haas Note: Strong player but has struggled in majors and especially the Open Championship. Has 5 PGA Tour wins but no top-10s in majors yet. |
| 43. Jonas Blixt Note: Contended at Augusta this year and has multiple tour wins. Was T26 in his first major ever at last year's Open Championship. |
| 44. Ryan Moore Note: Riding back-to-back top-10s on tour but has never contended closely at a major before. |
| 45. Gary Woodland Note: Long hitter with big-time potential. Made the cut in previous two Open Championship appearances. |
| 46. John Senden Note: Winner in Tampa Bay earlier this year and great ballstriker has struggled overseas at the Open Championship. |
| 47. Matteo Manassero Note: Youngest player ever to win the BMW PGA Championship but has yet to make the cut as a pro in the Open Championship. |
| 48. Padraig Harrington Note: 2007 and 2008 Open champion has been missing from leaderboards in recent years but has some game left to play well on a links layout. |
| 49. Joost Luiten Note: Young accomplished player with plenty of upside to play well. Made cut in only two appearances at the Open Championship. |
| 50. Chris Kirk Note: First timer at the Open Championship after winning his second tour event last November. |
| 51. Nick Watney Note: Has struggled mightily in major the last two years but is still relatively young and can turn things around quickly. |
| 52. Billy Horschel Note: Missed the cut last year in his first appearance, Horschel is still young and full of potential. |
| 53. Brendon Todd Note: Won the Byron Nelson in May and has been scalding hot ever since. Has been inside the top-10 in five of his last six events. |
| 54. Brendon de Jonge Note: Making his first Open Championship appearance this season. |
| 55. Kevin Na Note: Has never played well at this event but has played well recently so he could improve on his record at the Open this week. |
| 56. Marc Leishman Note: Has made one of three cuts at this event but has improved greatly since his victory at the Travelers in 2012. |
| 57. Freddie Jacobson Note: Excellent putter but is nearly 40 years old and hasn't contended in this major since 2003. |
| 58. Stephen Gallacher Note: Back-to-back Dubai Desert Classic champion. |
| 59. Brooks Koepka Note: Young player with plenty of upside in his second Open Championship. |
| 60. Paul Lawrie Note: The 1999 Open champion has a knack for links courses but is now 40 years of age. |
| 61. Matt Jones Note: Shell Houston champ from this year is entering his first Open Championship. |
| 62. Richard Sterne Note: Solid player now 33 who is top 50 in the OWGR. |
| 63. Peter Uihlein Note: Second Open Championship for the young player who plays on the European Tour. |
| 64. Branden Grace Note: Young player who nearly won the Scottish Open against Phil Mickelson last season. |
| 65. Bernd Wiesberger Note: Twice a runner-up on the European tour and is playing in his second Open Championship. |
| 66. Chris Wood Note: Pounced onto the scene as an amateur with a T5 at this event and followed with a third place finish in 2009. |
| 67. Shane Lowry Note: Top 10 finish last week at the Scottish Open should give the young Lowry confidence as he enters his third Open Championship. |
| 68. George Coetzee Note: Won the Joburg Open in February and has many close finishes on the European Tour. |
| 69. Kevin Streelman Note: Recent winner of the Travelers closing with seven straight birdies, Streelman is trending the last two years but has little experience in majors. |
| 70. Stewart Cink Note: Won in 2009 but has disappeared since. |
| 71. Russell Henley Note: Was first rookie to win his debut event at the 2013 Sony Open, Henley is making his second appearance at the Open. |
| 72. J.B. Holmes |
| 73. K.J. Choi |
| 74. Erik Compton |
| 75. Charles Howell III |
| 76. Roberto Castro |
| 77. Boo Weekley |
| 78. D.A. Points |
| 79. Matt Every |
| 80. Edoardo Molinari |
| 81. Ryan Palmer |
| 82. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano |
| 83. Thongchai Jaidee |
| 84. Brendan Steele |
| 85. Tommy Fleetwood |
| 86. Marc Warren |
| 87. Darren Clarke |
| 88. Y.E. Yang |
| 89. Todd Hamilton |
| 90. Ben Curtis |
| 91. Brett Rumford |
| 92. David Howell |
| 93. Gregory Bourdy |
| 94. Pablo Larrazabal |
| 95. Rafa Cabrera-Bello |
| 96. Kiradech Aphibarnrat |
| 97. Dawie van der Walt |
| 98. Masanori Kobayashi |
| 99. Hyung-Sung Kim |
| 100. Koumei Oda |
| 101. Yusaku Miyazato |
| 102. Mark Wiebe |
| 103. Charley Hoffman |
| 104. Matthew Southgate |
| 105. Chris Rodgers |
| 106. Byeong-Hun An |
| 107. Brian Harman |
| 108. Jamie McLeary |
| 109. Paul McKechnie |
| 110. Oliver Fisher |
| 111. Shawn Stefani |
| 112. Rhys Enoch |
| 113. John Singleton |
| 114. Christopher Hanson |
| 115. Billy Hurley III |
| 116. George McNeill |
| 117. Chris Stroud |
| 118. Cameron Tringale |
| 119. Oscar Floren |
| 120. Kevin Stadler |
| 121. Chesson Hadley |
| 122. Anirban Lahiri |
| 123. Scott Stallings |
| 124. Bryden Macpherson |
| 125. Rhein Gibson |
| 126. Jin Jeong |
| 127. Justin Walters |
| 128. Hiroshi Iwata |
| 129. Ashun Wu |
| 130. Yoshinobu Tsukada |
| 131. Dong-Kyu Jang |
| 132. Juvic Pagunsan |
| 133. Hyung-Tae Kim |
| 134. Tomohiro Kondo |
| 135. Ben Martin |
| 136. Matthew Baldwin |
| 137. Danny Willet |
| 138. Michael Hoey |
| 139. Victor Riu |
| 140. Robert Karlsson |
| 141. Justin Leonard |
| 142. John Daly |
| 143. David Duval |
| 144. Nick Faldo |
| 145. Sandy Lyle |
| 146. Tom Watson Note: Hard to dismiss arguably the greatest links golfer ever but at age 64 his chances are long |
| 147. David Hearn |
| 148. Kristoffer Broberg |
| 149. Ross Fisher |
| 150. Ryo Ishikawa |
| 151. Scott Jamieson |
| 152. Thorbjorn Olesen |
| 153. Tyrrell Hatton |
| 154. Cheng-Tsung Pan (a) |
| 155. Bradley Neil (a) |
| 156. Paul Dunne (a) |
| 157. Ashley Chesters (a) |
