The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Resurgent Warren wants same again
Marc Wa r r e n w an t s th e Scottish Open to continue with the same sponsors and at the same venue for 2021.
The resurgence of the 39-year-old from East Kilbride since lockdown – including his fourth career European Tour victory in Austria in the first restart event in July – has been one of the best good news stories in the Scottish ranks.
And on Sunday he came close to winning the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open with a late round charge, in the end falling two shots out of the play-off between winner Aaron Rai and Tommy Fleetwood in a share of fourth place.
And he wants to go back to Renaissance next year, hopefully under the same banner that has been so supportive to him during his struggles in the last five years, when he went from the world ’s top 50 to considering giving up the game.
“Hopefully, Aberdeen Standard can continue their support,” he said
“The event has grown so much since they have taken over, and in normal years it’s a great place in the schedule. Obviously, it was tougher this year with no crowds, but it’s still such a big event getting bigger and better and I’d love to see that continue.
“I think the venue, especially with the owners we have at The Renaissance, are willing to do everything and anything . If the European Tour wants them to do something, they’ll do it to the standard they are seeking.”
The Renaissance course played to 22-under for the first year’s play-off, but 11under was much more of a test, and Warren thinks the course has been unlucky with the weather.
“They’ve been unlucky with weather for the past two years,” he said.
“The course on Monday and Tuesday this week was absolutely perfect; a good test, greens firm and fast.
You couldn’t have asked for anything more for links golf.
“Then to get the amount of rain we had Wednesday night, Thursday morning and then Saturday makes it softer on Sunday. Hopefully, it continues to be at The Renaissance and that ASI continue their support as well.”
For himself, Warren is now itching to ge t to Wentworth, another place he’s done well at in the past.
“Last week was such a good one for me, playing so many different weather conditions just shows every department of your game is in good shape,” he said.
“It was a tough field and to be in contention at the end after being on a tough side of the draw, I’m just really proud that the work I’m putting into my game is ge tting me be tter and better.
“I felt comfortable down the stretch. It was great to get the buzz of being in contention again and you want it again the next week. I’d also want the tee shot at 18 again, but the good thing is that I didn’t feel I made a mistake, I did everything right.
Warren had a bit of a hamstring tweak after winning in Austria – he carried his own bag that week be cau se o f coronavirus requirements, which was maybe a factor – but he feels sharp going into one of his favourite venues, where he got into a play- off in 2013 before losing to Matteo Manassero.
He said: “I didn’ t do myself justice with that injury during the UK Swing but I felt a lot better at the Renaissance, and now we’re headed to another great venue at Wentworth.
“If the weather isn’t kind to us again I know I can batten down the hatches and grind it out.
“It’s a long tough golf course at the best of the days, so I can take the positives from the Scottish Open knowing my game is in good shape and just do a bit of work to get ready to go on Thursday.”