Phil Mickelson
World Rank: No. 2
Major wins: Four
Why he can win: He’s Phil. The swash-buckling lefty can get himself in and out of trouble with the best of them and he’s done so at two of the three majors this year.
Reason to doubt: Whistling Straights, a links-style course, has plenty of trouble to be found and Mickelson never challenged at the British Open.
Steve Stricker
World Rank: No. 4
Major wins: Zero
Why he can win: He grew up in Wisconsin, so Stricker be the hometown favorite and he’s won two events this year. Plus, he averages only 28.4 putts per round.
Reason to doubt: He’s in the conversation about the best players who have never won a major so he could easily remain in that conversation until April.
Rory McIlroy
World Rank: No. 8
Major wins: Zero
Why he can win: He won this season at Quail Hollow and tied for third at the British Open. Whistling Straights should suit the game he developed in Northern Ireland.
Reason to doubt: He’s still just pup at 21 years old. Majors usually are won by golfers with more experience.
Padraig Harrington
World Rank: No. 16
Major wins: Three
Why he can win: He’s done it before and Irish golfers usually play well on links courses. Harrington won the PGA in 2008 on the South Course of Oakland Hills.
Reason to doubt: Harrington missed the cut at the British Open, the Masters and The Players Championship.
Boo Weekley
World Rank: No. 158
Major Wins: Zero
Why he can win: With an average of 290 yards off the tee, Weekley will have an advantage on the 7,507 yard layout that should be receptive to his bombs.
Reason to doubt: Weekely is still just average when his ball gets a little closer to the cup. He ranks 122nd on putts in the 3-5 foot range.