ShotLink stats suggest Bryant is a solid Open pick

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Bart Bryant may not be the first player that comes to mind when predicting this week's British Open champion, but ShotLink suggests he will be a top contender at Royal Birkdale.

Using ShotLink stats from the 2008 PGA TOUR season, there are five stats that will be key to a strong performance at Royal Birkdale this week. Combining the ranks of these stats for players in the British Open field this week yields a "score" which can be used to predict performance from a statistical perspective.

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Here are the five categories we used. (Note that only regular members of the PGA TOUR who have played the required number of rounds for statistical ranking this year were analyzed):

Driving accuracy -- Tight fairways, narrow landing areas and the penal fescue make accuracy off the tee essential.

Apex height -- Using the new PGA TOUR radar data, we are now able to measure the ball flight of players' tee shots. The potential for strong, gusting winds favor players who are able to keep the ball low.

Proximity to the hole from more than 200 yards -- This statistic measures the average distance to the hole a player's ball comes to rest from shots outside of 200 yards. This is a good indicator of long-iron skill. Many players will be hitting irons and hybrids off the tee to keep the ball in the fairway, translating into longer approach shots into the greens.

Proximity to hole around the green -- British Open setups require skill and creativity around the greens. This statistic measures the average distance to the hole a player's ball comes to rest from shots around the green (within 30 yards of the edge of the green).

Approach putt performance -- This statistic measures the average distance left to the hole after a player's first putt, an indicator of his ability to lag the ball close with the putter. The large greens and tight aprons at the Open Championship mean players will be putting longer-than-average distances as well as many shots they would normally chip or pitch.