By David Ferguson and Li Muqun
There is a common tendency to consider the Barclays Scottish Open as a "warm-up" for the real thing - The Open Championship - whose place in the calendar is always one week later. Neither the sponsors nor the organizers would be very happy to see their event downgraded, even notionally, in this fashion. A "scene-setter" is the term they would certainly prefer.
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Architecture, landscape and course combine to form a unique backdrop
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This is why they have gone out of their way to attract a truly world-class field to the tournament. And it is possibly also the reason why it is held at a course that is as different as it could possibly be from link courses like Turnberry, on which this year's Open is to be played.
Not all of the world's best are present. Tiger Woods does not play in the Barclays. Phil Mickelson will not be here as a result of his family concerns – his wife is being treated for breast cancer. And Sergio Garcia, Europe's best player, is not here either. Some do not come because they do not think it helps their link golf to be playing at Loch Lomond the week before The Open. Others simply cannot make time in their busy schedules.
But the absences are more than made up for by the battalion of artillery that will line up for the tournament. Many players come here simply for the pleasure of playing in Scotland. There are no fewer than ten Major-winners in the field, led by current Masters Champion Angel Cabrera. Those who join him include the South African duo of Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, Geoff Ogilvy of Australia, currently second in the Race to Dubai, Britain's Sir Nick Faldo, Spain's Jose-Maria Olazabal, fans' favorite John Daly of the USA, and New Zealander Michael Campbell.
Also from the other side of the world is China's leading player Liang Wenchong. He will be playing the Barclays, and The Open to follow it, for the second time. He made his debut in the senior tournament last year at Royal Birkdale, but this will be his first opportunity to play The Open in Scotland.
Els, himself a two-time winner of the Barclays, confirmed the appeal that the tournament holds for the leading players: "It's not the most perfect preparation for Turnberry. We've known that for the thirteen, fourteen years that we've been playing here, but it's such a great tournament in itself that you don't want to miss it. And you know, we talk about it every year, but it seems like players who play well here take it into next week and play well there as well – if you look at the records it will show. I think competitive golf is a good preparation for major golf."
Ireland's Graeme McDowell, the title-holder, will have his work cut out to retain the trophy – something that no player has yet done in this event. But he is certainly up for the challenge: "Lots of great memories from last year," he said. "Definitely one of the highlights of my career. The best event I have won against the best field. Solidified my place on the Ryder Cup Team, and my Mom and Dad in the crowd – the first time they had watched me win as a pro."
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Evergreen Sandy Lyle signs autographs for admirers of all ages
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