Watney could lead American charge at Open

The top players in the golfing world try to ensure their game is peaking at the right time coming into the four Major tournaments.

With the third Major of the year, the British Open, just around the corner the players talked about as favourites are likely to be the top Europeans such as Lee Westwood or Rory McIlroy.

The main American contender is likely to be the ever-green Phil Mickelson, but one man coming into real form and a possibility for the British Open title is Nick Watney.

He tops the FedEx Cup standings and victory at the AT&T National last week was his second win of the season – add into that six top ten finishes so far in 2011 and he is coming into the British Open is good stead.

Watney won by two shots from KJ Choi at the AT&T National, with a large chunk of success down to a course record eight-under-par 62 for his third round. The British Open odds indicate he could be a surprise challenger later this month.

The windy links courses of the British Open have a tendency to favour the European players but some US stars have shown in the past they can come over and perform and those looking to bet on British Open 2011 should remember this.

Watney said after his AT&T victory he thinks things are moving in the right direction and is confident more wins could be just round the corner.

"I'm doing some good work with my coach, and my caddy has also been great. I feel like it's a process and I just need to keep working hard and hopefully keep winning," he added.

It has been confirmed that Dane Thorbjorn Olesen and American and Charles Howell have all made it into the British Open after leading non-exempt players at the AT&T National.