Ernie Els plans to use all his experience this week at the Scottish Open to make a timely return to his best form. The three-time major winner has dropped down the rankings to 23rd after a slow start to the season with just two top-10 finishes.

However, the 39-year-old is relishing teeing off at Loch Lomond tomorrow which will put him in good stead for The Open at Turnberry next week.

Els has won the Scottish Open twice, picked up the Claret Jug in 2002 at Muirfield and sees no reason why he cannot roll back the years, just as Greg Norman did at Royal Birkdale last year.

The South African said: "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.

"This place definitely suits my eye. I've done pretty well here, having won twice and had a bunch of other top-10 finishes.

"I know some players have a problem playing a course as lush as this, with it being such a contrast to links golf and just the week before The Open.

"I've never seen that as much of an issue, though. I'll be back at Turnberry on Monday morning. That gives plenty of time to adjust your game."

Another player who is looking to revive past glories at Turnberry next week is Ian Poulter, who finished second in last year's Open.

The Englishman has climbed to 16th in the rankings but was furious on Sunday at the French Open after being put off in an incident with a cameraman which scuppered his chances of winning the title.

Poulter admits his outburst at the snapper was 'hot-headed' but now wants to draw a line under the incident to focus on the next two weeks.

He added: "It's all about getting these experiences behind you and learning from them. We saw that with Andy Murray at Wimbledon.

"He was under immense pressure to deliver and he will win a Wimbledon title for sure but he is so young.

"We all want British winners including us players but it is a case of putting yourself in that position a number of times so that you feel used to it."

Meanwhile, two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal will need an excellent performance at Loch Lomond to cement his place at Turnberry.

The Spaniard missed out on one of the four places available at the 288-man British Open qualifying event at Kilmarnock Barassie, Scotland on Tuesday.

The 43-year-old's only chance of making the field next week is to clinch one of the exemption spots on offer.