Gary Van Sickle
Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated

Pick: Angel Cabrera

Maybe it's crazy to think a guy who had never won a major before last month is going to win back-to-back Opens, but he's an impressive player. He's got the length to dominate any course, and Carnoustie plays long. He's a terrific iron player — we saw that at Oakmont. The weakest part of his game is putting, and I think the typically slower greens at Carnoustie might be his cup of tea.

Dark horse: Steve Stricker

He hasn't even played in the British Open in five years, but he's been playing some of his best golf in '07. His runner-up finish at the AT&T Invitational was his second of the year. He was a contender at Oakmont until his putting blew up on the final nine. He's been driving it well, and he's normally an outstanding putter. I wonder how much cheese will fit in the Claret Jug?

Credit: Al Tielemans/SI