Power rankings: Scottish Open

• By Ryan Ballengee
• Jul 10, 2012 11:44 AM ET

The European Tour is in Scotland this week - not for the British Open next week but the precursor in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. Castle Stuart in Inverness hosts the event for the second year in a row. Luke Donald defends the title he won in a storm-shortened 54-hole event from a year ago.

Take a look at our fantasy rankings for this week, then tweet out your picks using the hashtag #GCFantasy and send them to me @RyanBallengeeGC. Also be sure to join the Golf Channel Fantasy Challenge to test yourself against our panel of experts, including defending champion Win McMurry.

1. Luke Donald: The world No. 1 hasn't competed since the U.S. Open, where he missed the cut. Nevertheless, he is the landmark player in this field.

2. Nicolas Colsaerts: Tying for third here a year ago, the bombing Belgian should be able to use his length to his advantage. Was T-11 at the French Open.

3. Padraig Harrington: Harrington has been great on both sides of the Atlantic of late, showing a return to form. He was T-14 here a year ago.

4. Matt Kuchar: Tough not to like Kuchar at any venue. The Players champion was T-10 here last year and T-8 in his last start at the Travelers Championship.

5. Ernie Els: Els was in it at the U.S. Open until the end but hasn't played since. His form seems to have returned, so expect improvement on the T-25 from last year.

6. Martin Kaymer: While he has not played well in his last two starts, he was in the top 15 at the U.S. Open and BMW PGA Championship. 

7. Phil Mickelson: Mickelson is all over the map right now in more ways than one. That may actually be an asset at the wide-open Castle Stuart.  

8. George Coetzee: Another South African, Coetzee was T-3 here a year ago. He has been in the top 21 in three of his last five European Tour starts.

9. Thorbjorn Olesen: The Dane has three consecutive top-22 finishes before a missed cut last week at the French Open.

10. Matteo Manassero: The Italian is starting to come along. He was T-17 last week at the French Open