Golf: Mickelson leads the way in Loch Lomond event

WORLD No.2 Phil Mickelson spearheads a world-class field at Loch Lomond this week, when no less than ten major champions will do battle in the Barclays Scottish Open.

The American came close to winning the event three years ago, losing to France's Gregory Havret in a play-off.

And the fact he can topple Tiger Woods as the world No 1 on Sunday will be the perfect incentive as he bids to go one better.

This year's Masters winner is one of three current major champions in the field, the others being US PGA champion YE Yang and Graeme McDowell, the newly-crowned US Open champion.

McDowell has always been a favourite with the Scottish galleries after his superb victory in the tournament in 2008 and he will now return to Loch Lomond in style following his dramatic triumph at Pebble Beach where he became the first European golfer to win the US Open in 40 years since Tony Jacklin triumphed at Hazeltine National in 1970.

"Winning the Barclays Scottish Open in 2008 is right up there with my best moments in golf and to be coming back to Loch Lomond as the US Open champion will be unbelievable," said McDowell. "It is no secret that Loch Lomond is one of my favourite venues of the entire year on the European Tour.

Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa is making his debut in the event, along with while other likely contenders from around the world include Australian Robert Allenby, Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and the new South African young guns Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel.

In the absence of world No 3 Lee Westwood, Europe's leading challengers are defending champion Martin Kaymer, Alvaro Quiros, Ross Fisher, Miguel Angel Jimnez and Rhys Davies, with the Scottish challenge also including PGA Tour winner Martin Laird plus Jin Jeong, the South Korean who won the Amateur Championship in stunning style at Muirfield last month, is also in the field, as are US Amateur champion Byeong-hun An and David Law, the Scottish Amateur champion.