FOWLER POISED TO USE DUNDONALD AS AN OPEN WARM-UP
AMERICAN star Rickie Fowler has hinted he is ready to contest next month’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Dundonald Links as part of his warm-up for The Open at Royal Birkdale. The 28-year-old Californian hasn’t taken part in the event since winning by a shot at Gullane in 2015. He declined to defend his title a year ago at Castle Stuart, largely due to the WGC–Bridgestone Invitational being moved from its August date to a fortnight before The Open to accommodate the Olympics. However, the world No 12 declared on day two of the Memorial Tournament in Ohio that he intends heading for Ayrshire on July 13. ‘There’s a lot of good coming out of playing the week before a Major, so I will be sending Martin Gilbert (chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management) a note,’ said Fowler. ‘I didn’t play the Scottish last year but I feel I’ve had a lot of my success in majors when I’ve played my way in. ‘I’ve played Houston a lot going into Augusta and the Masters and I can make sure my game’s heading in the right direction.’ Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott and last year’s winner Alex Noren have already confirmed they will be playing Dundonald. Meanwhile, former world No 1 Martin Kaymer has hit out at the ‘nasty and disrespectful’ reaction to Tiger Woods’ arrest for driving under the influence. ‘I find it so nasty that people kick him while he’s already on the floor,’ said Kaymer. ‘Yes, he’s in the public eye, he’s in the spotlight a lot, so of course people will talk about him, but why be so nasty? ‘Why don’t you try to do the opposite and help Tiger now, the way he inspired us?’ Woods was arrested early on Monday morning near his home in Florida after being found asleep at the wheel of his car.
FORMER Open champion Roberto de Vicenzo has died aged 94. The Argentine won the Claret Jug in 1967 at Royal Liverpool in Hoylake at the age of 44 — the second-oldest winner after Tom Morris, who was 46 in 1867. An error by playing partner Tommy Aaron cost him victory at the Masters a year later. De Vicenzo carded a 65 to force a play-off against Bob Goalby but Aaron had marked his card a four at the 17th when he had made a birdie three. De Vicenzo failed to spot the error and memorably said: ‘What a stupid I am!’