Ernie Els is hoping a return to some well-loved surroundings can provide the spark he needs to re-ignite a career that appears to be in danger of slipping into irreversible decline.

The South African's poor form over the last year resulted in him dropping out of the world's top 20 this week, prompting questions about whether he deserves to be considered a serious contender for next week's British Open at Turnberry.

But the 39-year-old, who spent Monday and Tuesday checking out the changes made to Turnberry since it last hosted the Open in 1994, heads into this week's Scottish Open at Loch Lomond in an upbeat mood.

Els, who has won twice on one of the world's most beautifully situated courses, admitted: "To be honest, it's probably my favourite two weeks on the golfing calendar. No, make that definitely my favourite two weeks.

"Having played Loch Lomond for so many years there are no real surprises in store for me, but in this case it’s a nice kind of familiarity. The place definitely suits my eye. I've mostly done pretty well here, having won twice and had a bunch of other top-10 finishes."

Every year sees a re-run of the debate over whether the Scottish Open should be staged on a fast-running links course to provide the top players with better preparation for what awaits them the following week.

But Els, who will play his first two rounds in the company of Colin Montgomerie and England's Nick Dougherty, is always happy to hone his game on Loch Lomond's soft fairways and receptive greens.

"I know some players have a problem playing a golf course as lush as this, with it being such a contrast to links golf and just the week before the British," he said. "But I've never seen that as much of an issue."

No Scottish Open winner has gone on to triumph at the Open but Englishman Ian Poulter dismisses the suggestion that victory at Loch Lomond automatically blights a player's chances of lifting the claret jug.

"Listen, if I've got a chance on Sunday afternoon and I need to make three or four down the last I'll be trying to make three or four down the last for sure," he said. "I don't believe in all that old wives' tale stuff."

Poulter a major threat

Poulter finished as runner-up to Padraig Harrington in last year's Open at Royal Birkdale and has since enhanced his status as a potential major winner with his strong performance in last year's Ryder Cup (four points from a possible five) and another runners-up finish, at the Players Championship in May.

"There's a lot that's happened last year which I think has changed my view on how I play golf and has helped me into becoming more consistent," he said.

Poulter will tee off on Thursday alongside Northern Ireland youngster Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood, who is also being tipped for a major breakthrough next week after a second-placed finished at the French Open last weekend.

With the likes of Els, Nick Faldo, Angel Cabrera and John Daly in the field, the three-million-pound tournament boasts a line-up including a group of players who have amassed 22 majors between them, although regular participant Phil Mickelson is absent this year as his wife battles breast cancer.

For Faldo, this will be his first tournament as Sir Nick and the recently-knighted Englishman will be accompanied by South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen and Thai star Thongchai Jaidee.

The other major winners in contention are Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen, Scots duo Paul Lawrie and Sandy Lyle, Jose Maria Olazabal and Geoff Ogilvy, with the Australian regarded as the bookmakers' favourite.

Graeme McDowell defends his title and the Northern Irishman is confident he will be in contention again.

"Winning last year was huge for me and my career," he said. "It guaranteed my place in The Ryder Cup Team and cemented my place in the top 50 of the word rankings.

"I know I don’t have a divine right to turn up and win again, but I feel very close to getting back to top form, and it would be great to win again."

AFP

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