Peter Williams: Wide Open for smaller countries

If trying to pick a winner in this week's British Open, try someone from a country which has never produced an Open champion. That's because Royal Liverpool's Hoylake links have given us the only Argentinian, Irish and French golfers to ever win a major.

So along with countless American, British, Australian, South African and Spanish players, as well as a couple of Kiwis, history tells us it might be worthwhile backing someone from the 16 other countries represented.

They come from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Austria, India, France, Germany, Ireland, Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago and Fiji. Players from 22 countries in this year's Open is most likely a record for any major.

Royal Liverpool is hosting the Open for the first time since 1967. Until recently, it was a cramped property which had no space for associated commercial activity such as the trade show and hospitality suites. Six years ago, the club bought another four hectares and convinced the R & A it again had the necessary room to host the Open.

The club and course have played a proud role in the tournament's history. It's been staged there 10 times, although on just three occasions since World War II.

In 1907, the only Frenchman to win a major, Arnaud Massey, was presented with the Claret Jug.

Two legendary Americans won at Hoylake between the world wars.

In 1924, Walter Hagen, the player who did more than anyone to raise the social status of professional golfers in a time when they weren't even allowed to change in British clubhouses, won the second of his four Opens.

After winning the 1930 British Amateur at St Andrews, Bobby Jones came to Hoylake to take his third Open. He then added the US Open and Amateur to complete what remains the greatest golfing achievement in one calendar year.

The Open at Hoylake in 1947 is the only one won by an Irishman. In the days before seeded draws where the tournament leaders play last, Fred Daly completed his final round in calm conditions before the wind whipped up and blew away the chances of his nearest challengers.

The most recent Open at Hoylake saw Argentina's greatest player Roberto di Vicenzo, at the age of 44, shoot 70 in the last round to beat Jack Nicklaus by two shots.

So at a venue with a history of Open champions from exotic backgrounds, Vijay Singh of Fiji and Padraig Harrington of Ireland appeal as the in-form contenders from small nations. But Tiger Woods won at St Andrews last year and after the disaster of the US Open, I reckon he's ready to contend seriously again.