The 2011 Scottish Open has begun at Castle Stuart with some of the world’s top players looking for a title boost ahead of next week’s Open at Sandwich.

Scot Alistair Forsyth hit the first shot of the event, which will take place over the next four days at its new home, following a move from Loch Lomond, where it had been staged for the last nine years.

Five of the world’s top 10 players are in competition, including the current number one, Luke Donald, and number two Lee Westwood.

There are several Scots in the field, including Colin Montgomerie, a winner in 1999, and the top-ranked home player Martin Laird. Richie Ramsay, David Drysdale, Marc Warren, Sandy Lyle and Paul lawrie are among the other Scots competing.

Westwood is the bookmaker’s favourite to lift the trophy that was won by Edoardo Molinari last year. Martin Laird is the shortest-priced Scot at 25/1 and says that while success would put him in great shape for the next major, winning on home soil would be sweet reward in itself.

“This tournament is perfect preparation for Royal St George’s,” he said. “But I want to win this event as well. It would be a dream come true for me to win in Scotland."

• Scottish Open leaderboard (external site)