ROUGH READY
Drysdale’s desperate to end title drought but knee-high jungle could derail dreams
DAVID DRYSDALE hopes his Scottish Open dream isn’t strangled by kneehigh rough after taking a Renaissance recce in a bid to end his title drought.
The Scot will tee up in his 505th European Tour event in two days’ time, desperate for North Berwick to be the scene of his maiden triumph.
To give himself every chance, the 45-year-old took on the links last week and witnessed bundai he believes will stop Bernd Wiesberger’s winning total of 22 under last year being repeated.
Drysdale, who has played in every Scottish Open since 2005, said: “It’s in really good shape but then, as we know in the UK, we are completely weather dependent.
“Last summer we got four of the best days ever. But given we’re coming into October and also after the rain we’ve had of late, it was playing soft – so it’s going to play a little longer than last year. It’s going to be hard seeing anyone get to 22 under like Bernd did.
“The good thing I noticed last week was they’ve cut back the rough in places – while it’s knee high in some other areas.”
Back in March he came closer to a first title than he ever has in the 21 years since his Tour debut, losing a fivehole play-off to Jorge Campillo of Spain at the Qatar Masters.
Drysdale has finished just five events since that second place after having to pull out
of last month’s UK Championship as the Tour re-emerged from its Covid-19 shutdown with the UK Swing.
He said: “My lower back has had a lot of wear and tear over the years and I’ve had to do a lot of stretching.
“It couldn’t have come at a worse time. I was doing a lot of driving and my back gave way. I made it to Celtic Manor for the first of the two Welsh events and then had to pull out. “Then the drive home of about seven hours knackered me for a couple of weeks. I tried to play at The Belfry but lasted six holes and missed Valderrama. I’m absolutely chomping at the bit and grateful to be back playing.”
Drysdale will be one of 15 Scots eyeing a share of this week’s £5.4million purse after Ewen Ferguson and Connor Syme were given invitations.