Wales still seeking first winner in golf's oldest championship

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Rhys Davies made the cut in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, but a 79-76 weekend sent him to a T74 finish.

United Kingdom at the British Open

Click the flag for analysis of each country's favorites, history in golf's oldest major:

ENGLAND Westwood, Rose, Poulter among favorites this year NORTHERN IRELAND Graeme, Rory bring lot of momentum SCOTLAND Monty's last shot at a major title? WALES 2010 Ryder Cup host winless all-time in Open

Positioned between England's western border and the Irish Sea, Wales is home to more than 3 million residents, more castles per square mile than anywhere else on earth and nearly 200 golf courses. Though the British Open has never been held in this country, Wales has a rich golf history.

Wales

By the numbers

Population: 3 million '10 British Open entries: 3 Former winners: 0

One of the first national governing bodies began in Wales, as well as the Stableford scoring system. The country has also produced two winning Ryder Cup captains in Dai Rees (1957) and Ian Woosnam (2006). And for the first time in its history, Wales will host the 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.

Among the other notable courses in the country are Machynys Peninsula, the first Nicklaus-designed course in Wales; Llanymynech, with three of holes located in England; and Royal St. David's, said to be one of the toughest tracks in the world. You can also take on the par-6 sixth hole at Dewstow, boasting 700 yards from tee to green. Or if it's height you're looking for, go to the 14th hole at West Monmouthshire Golf Club, which -- according to the Guinness Book of World Records -- is the highest point on the most elevated golf course in Great Britain.

Whether for the rock-lined coastal cliffs or breathtaking views of the lush countryside, Wales is quickly becoming a popular destination for golfers around the world. Only three Welshman --Rhys Davies, Bradley Dredge, and Simon Edwards -- are playing the Old Course in this year's Open Championship, but look for that number to grow rapidly in the coming future.

1. This year's favorite: Rhys Davies. Cricket was his primary sport growing up in Wales, where he represented his country on the junior level. When he switched to golf for good, Davies played collegiately at East Tennessee State and made Walker Cup teams in 2005 and 2007. He won two European Challenge Tour events in 2009 and earned his first European Tour victory earlier this year at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco. He's only played in three majors -- missing the cut twice and tying for 74th in this year's U.S. Open at Pebble Beach -- but he's got the best shot of any Welshman.

2. Best to have won the Open: Actually, no one has yet -- but Welshmen have come close many times. Dai Rees finished second at the Open in 1953 (to Ben Hogan), 1954 (Peter Thomson), and 1961 (Arnold Palmer), losing by one stroke each time. Ian Woosnam placed third in both the 1986 and 2001 Open Championships. Porthcawl-native Brian Huggett also tied for second in 1965.

Woosnam

3. Best to never have won the Open: While some would tap Ian Woosnam, who won the 1991 Masters, we're going with Dai Rees. The winner of 39 professional tournaments -- including two British Masters -- Rees is best remembered for captaining Great Britain's Ryder Cup team in 1957. Handing the Americans their only defeat between 1933 and 1985, the Fontygary native led the Europeans back from a two-point deficit after the Foursomes, dominating the Americans in the singles by five points.

For his efforts, Rees won Britain's Sportsman of the Year award and was made a member of the Order of the British Empire. Though the Welshman finished as the runner-up at the British Open three times, he is remembered as one of the most talented golfers of his generation and the greatest golfer in his country's history.

4. Best young player: That would be Rhys Davies. He only turned pro in 2007, but the 25-year-old is improving steadily each year. He shot a course-record 62 in the final round of The Celtic Manor Wales Open last month, including a 12-hole stretch in which he was 10-under par. Though he ended up second to eventual U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell -- his third runner-up finish of the season, the tournament was Davies' coming-out party. And if it was any indication of the Welshman's future, look for that party to include a few runs at major championship titles before he's done.

5. Wild card pick: Don't forget Bradley Dredge. With an 8-under 64 in the 2006 Alfred Dunhill Cup, Dredge holds the course record at the Old Course -- thanks to the St. Andrews Links Trust which expunged all previous records after the course was lengthened prior to the 2005 British Open. Dredge has put together an impressive professional resume including four wins and 36 top-10 finishes. Though he suffered a major collapse on the 16th hole at the BMW International Open in Munich last month, the Cardiff native might turn heads at St. Andrews during Open week.