1. Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama, along with Fowler and Jon Rahm, are the leaders of the best players never to have won a major club. This week, the 25-year-old Japanese star is ready to mark his name off of that list. A superb iron player, Matsuyama’s approach game will be the key to a good week at Birkdale. With expected favorable condiions through both of the first rounds of the event, Asia’s wait for a winner of the Open could come to an end by Sunday evening.