The 140th British Open starts tomorrow at Royal St George's in SE England.

Irishman Rory McIlroy representing the UK will be after a second Open win, still fresh from his success at winning the US Open last month.

If he manages to pull that off, he would be the first to do so since Tiger Woods in 2000.

Woods himself pulled out of the Open earlier this week, citing the serious leg injuries which have curtailed his career this year.

The US threat is weak with the world's top three players - Englishmen Luke Donald and Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer of Germany - all joining McIlroy as serious contenders for the Claret Jug.