A host of home grown stars will gather at Dundonald Links in Scotland, the Home of Golf, from July 13 to 16 as they vie to become only the second Scottish player to take the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open title.
Russell Knox, Scotland’s highest ranked player at number 21 in the Official World Golf Rankings, will make his fourth consecutive appearance at the tournament, as he and his compatriots aim to emulate Colin Montgomerie’s 1999 victory at Loch Lomond Golf Club.
Paul Lawrie – the winner of The Open Championship in the same year – will also join the field, alongside David Drysdale, Stephen Gallacher, Richie Ramsay and Marc Warren.
The Scottish stars will all tee it up at the biggest Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open yet – the third event in the European Tour’s new Rolex Series, a premium category of events each with a minimum prize fund of US$7million.
With the significant prize fund increase and greater Race to Dubai points on offer, a world-class field will be descending on the North Ayrshire coast in the week before The 146th Open Championship.
Knox, who became the first Scottish golfer to win a World Golf Championship, when he triumphed at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai in 2015, said: “I can’t wait – the Scottish Open is the number one tournament on my schedule every year. I love going home to play in front of the Scottish fans. I really look forward to it, try not to put any extra pressure on myself and just look to enjoy my week.
“I would love to win. It’s been a dream of mine since I used to go and watch the tournament when I was a little boy. To have the chance to win on the last day there would be a “pinch yourself” moment.
“I’ve never played Dundonald Links before, but I’ve heard great things about it, so I look forward to giving it a crack.
“It’s great for the tournament that it comes the week before The Open. It’s nice to have the big names, it adds some extra hype to the tournament.”
Along with the increased prize fund, this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will benefit from an enhanced fan experience on site at Dundonald Links with a host of entertainment on offer outside the ropes, as well as increased investment in digital and broadcast coverage.
As well as showcasing leading golf stars from Scotland, and around the world, the event will also promote the best of Scottish produce, with a wide selection of food from local suppliers amongst the home grown offering.
Tickets for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open are on sale now at www.aamscottishopen.com/tickets
