Ask the experts: Andrew Cotter

We ask four members of the BBC commentary team to offer their insight on this year’s Open Championship.

How does Royal Lytham differ from other courses on the Open rota?

It is not scenic, but it is a great layout, which features holes that meander in all directions and this ensures that the players get tested no matter which direction the wind is blowing. Bunkers are well positioned and deep – a definite half-shot penalty.

What is the key to winning at Lytham?

Aside from avoiding bunkers, it’s the usual things; accuracy, scrambling, putting and shortgame imagination. You need a special and varied short game if you want to win here, which is why the greatest short-game artist of all, Seve Ballesteros, won here twice.

What sort of chance does Tiger have?

I can’t see him winning, as he doesn’t actually have that great a record in the event. Yes, he has won it three times, but two of those were at St Andrews where you can get away with loose tee shots and at Hoylake where he didn’t hit driver.

Which Brits should we look out for and why?

Rory McIlroy’s high ball flight will rule him out if it’s windy, but I can see the everaccurate Lee Westwood plotting his way through the bunkers and then who knows? Perhaps the slightly slower links greens will help his putting? I’d love to see it.

Finally, who is going to win?

The winner could genuinely be one of 120 people. But one person I was very impressed by last year was Rickie Fowler. He was raised in California and faced with horrible conditions, but he adapted superbly. He will contend.

The 2012 Open Championship is live across the BBC from 9am Thursday, July 19, on TV, HD & Radio 5 live.