Australia's British Open class of 2018

How the Aussies shape up ahead of the 147th British Open starting at Scotland's Carnoustie Golf Links this week.

THE AUSTRALIAN BRITISH OPEN CONTINGENT:

JASON DAY * Age: 30 * World ranking: 9 * British Open starts: 7 * Best British Open finish: T4th 2015 * Best major finishes: winner 2015 US PGA Championship; 2nd 2016 US PGA Championship; T2nd 2011 Masters; 2nd 2011 US Open; T2nd 2013 US Open; T4th 2015 British Open

A two-time winner on the US PGA Tour this year and proved he can contend on the Scottish links by missing a playoff at St Andrews by a shot three years ago.

MARC LEISHMAN * Age: 34 * World ranking: 18 * British Open starts: 7 * Best British Open finishes: T2nd 2015; T5th 2014; T6th 2017 * Best major finishes: T2nd 2015 British Open; T4th 2013 Masters

Has taken his game to new level since posting three top-six finishes in the past four Opens, winning twice late last season in America and firmly believes he's now a major player.

CAMERON SMITH * Age: 24 * World ranking: 44 * British Open starts: 1 * Best British Open finish: missed cut 2017 * Best major finishes: T4th 2015 US Open; T5th 2018 Masters

Mature beyond his years, the unflappable youngster has established himself as a big-stage performer with wins in Australia and the US and a superb showing at Augusta this year.

ADAM SCOTT * Age: 38 * World ranking: 82 * British Open starts: 18 * Best British Open finish: 2nd 2012 * Best major finishes: winner 2013 Masters; 2nd 2012 British Open; T3rd 2013 British Open; T5th 2015 British Open; T3rd 2006 US PGA Championship; T4th 2015 US Open

The perennial contender remains desperate to claim the Claret Jug after four near-misses in his past six tries. Back using the long putter and has Nick Faldo's esteemed ex-caddy on his bag.

CAMERON DAVIS * Age: 23 * World ranking: 128 * British Open starts: on debut * Best major finish: on debut

The long bomber earned a start with a stunning Australian Open victory last November and has since won on the secondary Web.com Tour in the US to confirm his credentials as a future star.

LUCAS HERBERT * Age: 22 * World ranking: 177 * British Open starts: 0 * Best British Open finish: on debut * Best major finish: missed cut 2018 US Open

Australia's youngest player at Carnoustie after gaining a berth with a top-eight finish at this year's Singapore Open. Fearless performer capable of shooting low numbers.

MATT JONES * Age: 38 * World ranking: 277 * British Open starts: 3 * Best British Open finish: T30th 2015 * Best major finish: T21st 2015 US PGA Championship

The US PGA Tour star led the Open at St Andrews during the opening round three years ago and isn't at Carnoustie to make up the numbers.

BRETT RUMFORD * Age: 40 * World ranking: 393 * British Open starts: 5 * Best British Open finish: T16th 2006 * Best major finish: T16th 2006 British Open

The European Tour veteran returns to the Open for the first time since 2015 after topping the 2017 Australasian Tour Order of Merit with victory in the World Super 6 in his home city of Perth.


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Source: AAP



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