The British Open championship is only 13 days away and the Claret Jug is wide open to all comers.

The Greatest Golfer of All Time will be sitting this one out due to recent knee surgery. So who are the favorites to hoist the trophy on Sunday, July 20?

Last year, I picked four or five players who I felt had a good chance to win and I picked the winner. The gritty Irishman -- Paddy Harrington -- won the British Open last year at Carnoustie when he defeated Sergio Garcia in a dramatic playoff.

I personally like Lee Westwood to win his first major championship after his great showing at Torrey Pines in the U.S. Open last month. He made a great comeback with his golf game the past two years and now is one of the best 15 golfers in the world.

I also like another native son, Justin Rose, who is ranked ninth in the world and is ready to shine.

From our side of the pond, I feel that Justin Leonard is playing great and really starting to find his stride.

I also like Kenny Perry, who is playing consistently brilliant all year long and who wants to play on the Ryder Cup team.

Finally, my last pick is Mike Weir, the great Canadian golfer from Ontario who already has won the Masters. He played beautifully at The Memorial (Jack Nicklaus's tournament) and he played well at the U.S. Open, finishing at plus-3 for the week. He is one of the toughest competitors you will ever see.

So there you have it, five great golfers who will be right there come Sunday afternoon, fighting for the championship.

Even though Tiger won't be competing, it will be a tremendous championship again this year.

Rule of the Week

Rule 6-3 -- Time of starting.

The player must start at the time established by the committee. Note, the committee may provide, in conditions of a competition (rule 33-1), that if the player arrives at his starting point ready to play within five minutes after his starting time, in the absence of circumstances that warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification as provided in rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time of two strokes at the first hole in stroke play instead of disqualification.

Golf tip of the Week

When you have a pitch shot over a bunker, make sure to use a lofted club and while executing the shot, lead with your hands at impact and have the clubhead behind your hands at impact.