The Americans naturally have strong claims on their national title; the British can point to their experience on such links-style courses as Chambers Bay.
But when pressed for a selection during his media conference today, 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose pointed the needle firmly in Australia’s direction.
“You can look to the links feel of the golf course to suit Europeans, but at the same time I think the Americans and international players have had a great record at the (British) Open Championship, so I think we're all pretty well versed at playing different conditions all around the world,” the Englishman said.
“You might look at some of the Australian guys this week and think, especially if there is a slight breeze, it could almost play like a Melbourne Sandbelt-type course where you have to play the bounce and have to control the ball flight and all those types of things.
“I think it is a long golf course, but the course is going to be running.
“There's definitely an advantage to the long hitter to take a couple of corners on, but there's a lot of trouble there a long hitter can get into by running through fairways.”