LOCH LOMOND (Scotland), July 12: Eight of the world's top 20 players will take the high road to Loch Lomond on Thursday for the first round of the Scottish Open, a tasty appetiser ahead of next week's British Open at Hoylake.

Leading the race for this week's first prize of 400,000 pounds ($735,400) are South African pair Retief Goosen and Ernie Els.

World number eight Els is the only multiple winner at Loch Lomond, having picked up the trophy in 2000 and 2003.

Goosen, the world number four, also captured the title in 2001.

Spain's Sergio Garcia makes a welcome reappearance after a lengthy absence from the tournament.

Briton David Howell, the order of merit leader and 10th in the world rankings, returns to competitive golf after a short break.

Among the other likely title challengers at the 2.4 million pounds tournament are Luke Donald (12th), Colin Montgomerie (13th), Jose Maria Olazabal (14th) and holder Tim Clark (17th).

This week's event is of special significance to former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance, who becomes the first player in the history of the tour to make 700 starts, 35 years after his debut.

On that occasion, the Scot won $64.35 for a share of 39th place.

The 52-year-old Torrance is joined in the field by US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman, 47, and former US Masters champion Fred Couples, 46.—Reuters