Golf: 5 to keep an eye on

Richard Green(Australia)

The 33-year-old from Melbourne brings some prime form to Gulf Harbour. The lefthander finished 17th on last year's European Tour Order of Merit. He bagged three ties for second, a sixth, a ninth and a 10th in a seriously consistent season of golf. Green won the Australian Masters at Huntingdale in December, winning a three-way playoff with Greg Chalmers and David McKenzie. The world No 61 is poised for a big year.

Brad Heaven(New Zealand)

Runner-up at The Grange as an amateur in last year's Open, Heaven tried unsuccessfully for his Tour cards in Europe and the United States. Graduated from Ohio's University of Toledo last year with a business administration degree and an excellent collegiate career behind him. At the point of his career where the 24-year-old needs to make every opening count. The exemption into next week's Open is one of those. Can he back up last year's memorable performance?

Craig Parry (Australia)

The 39-year-old Victorian won the Open in 2002 at Paraparaumu Beach - aka the Tiger Woods Open - and has established himself as one of the world's premier players. 'Popeye' Parry has won two US PGA Tour titles, 19 worldwide and his stocky frame is a popular sight on course around the globe. Has begun the year well with 10th and 28th placings on his first two American events. The world No 65 will be a good bet for the title next week.

Joakim Haeggman (Sweden)

At No 52, the second highest-ranked player coming to the Open. The 35-year-old finished 18th on the European Order last year, during which he picked up his fourth Tour victory in Qatar and had four other top-10 finishes on his way to pocketing more than 1.1 million ($2 million). He has played four World Cups, two Dunhill Cups and, in 1993, became the first Swede to be part of the European Ryder Cup team. Vastly experienced and with a handy repertoire of trick shots. He has seven professional victories.

Paul Lawrie (Scotland)

The only major winner in the Open field, 36-year-old Lawrie has been a steady performer since his big win at Carnoustie in 1999. That was the year Frenchman Jean van de Velde went wading through the creek at the 18th when it seemed harder to lose than win the British Open. Lawrie won in a playoff. He's had two victories since - the Dunhill Links Championship of 2001 and the Wales Open a year later. His best finish in a disappointing 2004 was a share of 11th in the Mallorca Classic.