Padraig Harrington, 18/1 with bookmaker to win the tournament, believes that his game is in good enough order for him to challenge for a third Open Championship at Royal Lytham.
The Irishman won the Claret Jug in 2007 and 2008. After a period of struggles, he has returned to near top form in recent months, finishing inside the top ten at both The Masters and the US Open.
The 40-year-old Dubliner said: “I’ve been putting better, that’s essentially it. I’m playing better too, but the putting really does help.
“It’s nice to see the putting has returned in its own shape or form and the rest of the game is pretty solid on top of that.
“So, hopefully, it will be good enough this week to get me across the line.”
Harrington also won the 2008 US PGA Championship as he racked up three Major titles in six attempts. In doing so, he became the first European Major winner since Scotland’s Paul Lawrie won the Open Championship in 1999.