Links action in Illinois, Inverness

The best golfers in the world will prepare for the upcoming British Open in their own way this week, either by taking a break from the links or by competing in one of two events: the European Tour's Barclays Scottish Open or the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic (Thursday/Friday GOLF, Saturday/Sunday CBS).

Steve Stricker won the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois last year, and he'll be back to defend that crown this year. Stricker fired a fourth-round 70 at the event in 2010 to beat Paul Goydos by two strokes for the trophy � that was after a sizzling opening round of 60 followed by 18-hole scores of 66 and 62 over Friday and Saturday. Goydos' 5-under 66 on the Sunday wasn't quite enough to close that gap.

Jeff Maggert, Shaun Micheel, and Matt Jones made up the rest of the Top 5 at last year's John Deere Classic; Micheel, Jones, and Goydos will all be back on the course at TPC Deere Run this week

Stricker also won this tournament in 2009, when he beat the trio of Zach Johnson, Brett Quiqley, and Brandt Snedeker by three strokes. Jones tied for fifth place at that event, ending up four strokes back of Stricker. Johnson tied for 21st at this tournament last year, and he's back to try and improve on that finish this week.

So Stricker is clearly the favorite for this week's PGA Tour stop at TPC Deere Run, but overseas the field is going to be a little tougher at The Barclays Scottish Open at Castle Stuart Golf Links in Inverness, Scotland.

Edoardo Molinari is the reigning champ at the Scottish Open, as he beat Darren Clarke by three strokes and Raphael Jacquelin by four strokes to claim the trophy despite shooting a 3-over 74 in the final round last year (Clarke went +5 on the final day). Stephen Gallacher, Peter Hedblom, and Francesco Molinari ended up tied for fourth.

And Edoardo will be back this week to defend his title in Inverness, with Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Matt Kuchar, Justin Rose, Martin Laird, Paul Lawrie, Padraig Harrington, and Phil Mickelson also confirmed as part of the field.

Mickelson played this event last year as well, but missed the cut after shooting 71 and 74 in the first two rounds. Lefty then went on to finish tied for 48th at the British Open; he's only ended up in the Top 10 at the British Open once in his career, back in 2004.

That's why the latest British Open odds at Oddsmaker have Mickelson down the list at +2500 to win the major tournament. Rory McIlroy will head into the event next week as the +200 favorite, with Westwood at +1000, and both Donald and Martin Kaymer at +1500. Sitting with Mickelson at +2500 odds is Tiger Woods, whose leg injury might force him to miss the tournament.