DUN DEAL AS RICKIE RETURNS
RICKIE FOWLER’S decision to compete in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Dundonald next month is a huge boost for the tournament.
The American Ryder Cup star’s inclusion means that four of the world’s top 12 players will be in Ayrshire.
Fowler, who is ranked 12th in the world, is joined by Swedes Henrik Stenson (5th) and Alex Noren (8th) as well as Australian ace Adam Scott (10th).
Fowler did not compete last year at Castle Stuart in defence of the Scottish Open title he won by a shot in 2015 at Gullane.
That was because of a mid-season scheduling nightmare last year with the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational moved from August to a fortnight before The Open to accommodate the Olympics.
However, ahead of his second round at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio, Fowler revealed that he will be teeing-up on July 13 at Dundonald Links.
He said: “There is a lot of good from playing the week before a Major, so I will be sending Martin Gilbert, the Aberdeen Asset Management CEO, a note.
“I didn’t play the Scottish Open last year but over the last few years I haven’t played more than three weeks in a row.
“That’s because if I do I just don’t feel on top of the mental side of my game. I feel I’ve had a lot of my success in Majors by playing my way into them like I will be doing here.
“I’ve played at Houston a lot going into Augusta and The Masters.
“It is also reason I’m playing next week in Memphis before taking part in the US Open.
“In 2014, which was the last time I was in Memphis, I finished tied for 13th and then had a good US Open.
“I finishing tied for second at Pinehurst with Eric Compton.
“So there’s a lot of good that can come from playing the week – or this time two weeks – leading up to a Major where I can make sure my game’s heading the right direction.”
Meantime, Martin Laird, who has failed to qualify for US Open in the last two years, will be looking to join fellow Scots Russell Knox and Richie Ramsay in the field at Erin Hills.
He is scheduled to tee-up on Monday in a 36-hole qualifier in Columbus, Ohio and will be desperate to book his US Open slot.