The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dryburgh handed invitation for The Renaissance Club
Scotland’s in-form Gemma Dryburgh has been given one of the two final invitations to play in next month’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, writes Steve Scott.
The 27-year-old from Aberdeen won back-to-back events in the Rose Series of restart events for women professionals, including the first ever women’s pro event played at Royal St George’s at Sandwich, and her reward is a place in her home Open.
Dryburgh’s wins made her Scotland’s highest ranked player and underlined her as the woman in form in British golf.
“Huge thanks to Aberdeen Standard Investments and Visitscotland for giving me this opportunity,” she said.
“I would have hated not being able to play in what is one of my favourite events of the year, especially when I have been playing so well lately.
“I know that Aberdeen Standard Investments, Visitscotland and IMG have had to work really hard to put all the health and safety protocols in place to ensure the tournament can go ahead and we are all very grateful and excited to get back to The Renaissance Club.”
Georgia Oboh, the first Nigerian golfer to win her card on the LET, has also been selected for an invitation by title sponsor, Aberdeen Standard Investments.
Oboh commented: “I’m really grateful to receive this invitation into such an important event on the LET and LPGA Tours.
“I have been working very hard to be ready to play amongst so many of the world’s best players and I think it will give me invaluable experience as I work towards achieving my dream of being the first Nigerian to win on the professional golf circuit.”
The two other invitations were handed out last week to the reigning AIG Women’s Open champion Hinako Shibuno of Japan, and to North Berwick’s own former Women’s Open champion and current Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew, who has won the Scottish title twice.
The field for the 2020 event is stronger than last year with three of the world’s top 10 ranked players on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings in the field – Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, (4th) America’s Danielle Kang (5th) and Australia’s Minjee Lee (8th).
There are 22 players ranked within the world’s Top 50, seven of the top 10 players currently leading the LPGA Race to CME and all of the top 20 on the final 2019 LET Order of Merit.
This year’s tournament is going ahead as a madefor-tv event without on-site spectators, following close consultation and collaboration with the Scottish Government, Aberdeen Standard Investments, Visitscotland, the LPGA and the LET, fully adhering to internationally recognised Covid-19 protocols.