European Tour Insider: Onward to the 'bonnie banks'

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There's an impressive field at the Scottish Open, but Loch Lomond itself is always one of the stars of the show.

This week, Loch Lomond hosts the Barclays Scottish Open, a prestigious and popular event in its own right, but also an appetizer for the fare to come -- the 138th Open Championship at Turnberry the following week.

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As the famous song suggests, you could not get a bonnier venue than Loch Lomond. The course flanks one of Scotland's best known and most beautiful lochs and includes an ancient castle and an imposing old house, while winding among various sites of special scientific and natural value.

When you factor in 22 of the world's top 50 golfers and a large number of spectators steeped in the knowledge and tradition of the game, then you have a must-see event.

Much of Britain has basked in sunshine for the last fortnight -- Wimbledon's new roof didn't strictly need to be used -- and if the weather is kind to Scotland, it'll only add to the spectacle (though the weather has not often blessed this event for each of its four days).

U.S. VISITORS

Brian Gay and Nick Watney are first time visitors to the Barclays Scottish Open, looking to prosper at the event, but particularly to acclimatize ahead of the Open.

A two-time winner this season, Gay is clearly a player the paying public will be keen to see. Yes, there are plenty of others to take the eye, but you have to respect someone whose game is so clearly on the rise with a Presidents Cup place on the horizon.

European Tour Podcast

This week, Robert Lee and John Hawksworth review the Open de France in Paris, where Martin Kaymer overcame Lee Westwood in a playoff to secure his third European Tour win. The guys also look ahead to this week's Race to Dubai event, the Barclays Scottish Open in Loch Lomond, and offer a tip of the Week from Englishman Paul Waring. Click to listen

Watney, too, will be an unfamiliar figure, but many will look out for the 28-year-old winner of the Buick International who's in a three-ball with Scotland's own Sandy Lyle for the first two days.

Still, the presence of both Gay and Watney will be nothing compared to John Daly and Boo Weekley.

The former is lauded whenever he returns to Europe -- particularly Scotland, where he claimed the Claret Jug at St. Andrews in 1995. Weekley was one of the stars of the show at a previous appearance in 2007 when he shot a second-round 66 en route to finishing 30th, and his huntin' and fishin' persona strikes a chord here.

ANOTHER STEAK ON THE BBQ

Masters champion Angel Cabrera is another big draw at the Barclays Scottish Open and is likely to continue a tradition associated with the event. The majority of Argentine players and caddies tend to gather at Lochside chalets to enjoy a late evening barbecue.

Andres Romero first came to prominence in Europe at this tournament and certainly enjoyed being among countrymen as they threw another steak on the coals.

Rafa Echenique who finished second in Munich and was the third-round leader in France last week, is bound to be among the guests along with two of this season's European Tour winners -- Tano Goya and Daniel Vancsik.

KNOCK OUT KAYMER

Martin Kaymer won a third European Tour title with his playoff victory over Lee Westwood at the Open de France Alstom. Opening with a course-record 62, he then took a back seat to Echenique until he thrived again on the final day.

Kaymer had missed the cut when defending his title in Munich the previous week, and some tipsters advised against backing him in Paris. He was struggling with blisters on his feet and even cut his shoes open to relieve the pain.

The resilient young German is now back in the world's top 20.

SNAPPING AT A SNAPPER

Ian Poulter finished third in Paris but has vowed not to return. He took offense, understandably, when an over-zealous amateur photographer snapped repeatedly on his backswing at the 15th when the in-form Englishman was firmly in contention. Poulter's ball landed in the lake, and he felt his chance evaporated.

OH BROTHER

Two brothers will compete in The Open Championship for the first time in 26 years.

Scotsmen Lloyd and Elliot Saltman have both won through their respective qualifying competitions and will emulate the feat of Seve and Manuel Ballesteros.

Lloyd Saltman already has an Open pedigree. For years ago, he finished 15th at St. Andrews.

Austria's Markus Brier shot rounds of 64 and 66 to qualify and trusts he'll keep up the good work. "Links golf is in my body," he said. "I loved it from when I was a teenager and visited Turnberry with six or seven other Austrian amateurs."

One of this season's star performers, Thomas Aiken, also qualified, but two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal missed out. He needs a good performance at Loch Lomond to secure a position at Turnberry.