13 more South Africans won't make an enormous difference to a country already awash with them; in this particular case, though, the baker's dozen are of particular consequence. Local interest will hover feverishly over the local contingent, but back home, eyes will be firmly focused on the 13 men lined up in the field at Royal Birkdale for the Open Championship. 13 out of 156 is closing in on ten percent; for a small corner of darkest Africa, that's more than just good going. It's a quite staggering achievement.

The resurgent David Frost was the last to seal his place, and would be a quirky bet for a top-ten finish this week, on the back of a splendid season. But then quirky bets are the order of the week, for the field at Birkdale sits beneath the enormous shadow of a man who isn't anywhere near the place. Filling a Tiger Woods-shaped void is the theme of this year's Open, and so in place of the ‘who can challenge Tiger' debate that usually precedes a Major, all manner of names are being tossed out as potential champions in the absence of The Striped One.

To the South Africans in a moment; first, the men who'll headline the bookies tables going into tomorrow. Having finally discovered the joys of life beyond America, Phil Mickelson would cherish an Open win, and did enough in Scotland last week to suggest that four decent rounds at Birkdale are well within reach. Mickelson's softness of touch when seen firsthand is astonishing, and that'll be key at Birkdale.

On the local front, Lee Westwood is attracting plenty of attention, and with good reason. Overweight, out of touch and destined to drift off into golfing oblivion just a few years ago, he's now playing some of the best golf of his career, and while he'll never be svelte, he's appreciably leaner, and clearly working hard on his game. A couple of mates of mine have money on him; Justin Rose is a decent chance as well amongst the Englishmen (and has 1998 at Birkdale to remember fondly), but Westwood's probably the pick right now.

Padraig Harrington's win last year puts him firmly in the limelight for 2008, but an ankle injury might count against him; Graeme McDowell, his fellow Irishman (albeit north of the border) is the man in form, winning last week in Scotland. McDowell's amongst a number of golfers who've moved firmly onto the radar this season; look out, amongst others, for Jeev Milkha Singh, Andres Romero, Anthony Kim, and Ross Fisher.

And then the South Africans, led by the man who will have no better opportunity to make a statement of intent, and tell the world that his days as one of the games genuine contenders aren't over yet. Ernie's had his career obituaries written by several notable commentators, but he's clung on, despite injury, and the pressure of dealing with an autistic son. There have been flashes, touches of the old Big Easy, that every South African desperately wants to read as much into as possible. But this week even the bookies agree that, after his fine showing in Scotland and with his undoubted pedigree, Els is very much amongst the men to beat at Birkdale.

Goosen and Immelman also sit amongst the contenders, the Goose also having had his moments this year, and Immelman with his maiden Major behind him. I also like Tim Clark, who surprisingly played in America last week (he won the Scottish Open a few years ago), but had a decent run there, and is as calm a golfer as the game has. Sterne sits on the fringes of the Romero/Kim group mentioned earlier,Frost is simply having fun and flourishing for it, and for the other South Africans, the Open experience in itself will be incredible; making the cut and going on from there will be a bonus.

Anyone missing, then? Well, yes: one rather important, very colourful, infuriatingly difficult to read Spaniard. Last year's Open play-off defeat has surely left a ghost or two swirling about Sergio Garcia, and this of all tournaments will illustrate how well he's recovered. Sergio's putter can be one of the most painful sights in golf, but the talent he has must win him a Major eventually, provided he can keep his head at the death. 13 South Africans in the field suggest we're good money for a couple of challengers on Sunday, and ideally a winner; if it has to be someone from beyond our borders, though, I reckon most of us would be quite happy with Senor Garcia.

  • I'll be at Caprice in Camps Bay on Sunday with the rest of the Golf Punk team, including our army of Bunker Babes, to watch the final day of the Open. Plenty of cold beer, some of Cape Town's finest burgers, and the charge to the finish line at Royal Birkdale — throw in some great Taylor Made prizes, and there's no reason not to drop and join us. You'll also have the chance to meet iafrica.com sports editor Rob Peters, always a rare treat; we'll be settled in from about one o'clock. Oh, and did I mention the Bunker Babes?

  • And on the subject of events: August 12, the week of the All Black Test in Cape Town, sees the Bell's Night of the Stars taking place at the Market Hall at Grandwest Casino. Hosted by Joel Stransky, and with Kobus Wiese as guest speaker, the dinner will feature the entire Springbok squad, who'll be meaning the phones to raise money for the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players Fund. It's always a fabulous night out, with Freshlyground playing, and star centre Dominic Malan signed up by Bell's to make an appearance: to book a table (complete with ex-Springbok), or find out more about a splendid evening for an excellent cause, visit www.playersfund.org.za.

  • Contact Dan at dan@metropolis.co.za
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