RORY MCILROY (Nir)

• World No. 1. Major wins: 4

The tournament favourite says he has recharged his batteries after missing cuts in his last two outings in Europe.

JORDAN SPIETH (USA)

• World No. 2. Major wins: 1

Missed the cut at the Players Championship but has two top-three finishes in his last three tournaments and a caddie with useful local knowledge.

BUBBA WATSON (USA)

• World No. 4. Major wins: 2

He is one of the biggest hitters in the game, and the consensus is that a big hitter off the tee will win it this week. But he has not played since a tie for 42nd at the Players Championship.

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA (Jpn)

• World No. 14. Major wins: 0

Asia's top player is up to a career-best 14th in the world rankings. Took fifth place in the Masters and tied for fifth in his defence of the Memorial title.

PHIL MICKELSON (USA)

• World No. 17. Major wins: 5

The crowd favourite has been in poor form this year but a closing 65 to tie for third at the St Jude Classic last week augurs well for him.

TIGER WOODS (USA)

• World No. 195. Major wins: 14

Endured a career-worst 85 in the third round of The Memorial and finished dead last. Has not played since then.

MARTIN KAYMER (Ger)

• World No. 19. Major wins: 2

The wire-to-wire winner at Pinehurst last year has had a miserable run of late, with a rash of missed cuts and poor finishes.

RICKIE FOWLER (USA)

• World No. 8. Major wins: 0

Won the Players Championship last month.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE