SCOTTISH OPEN MEMORIES SCOTT JAMIESON
Few Scottish golfers have clocked up more air miles over the past 15 or so years than David Drysdale, who has travelled all over the globe in establishing himself as a European Tour regular.
He’s developed a fondness for South Africa in particular and has become used to living out of a suitcase but, like everyone else, Drysdale enjoys his home comforts, so is looking forward to those in the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.
The 43-year-old is the “local” player in the $7 million Rolex Series event, facing just a 19-mile journey from his home near Cockburnspath to Gullane, where he was handed the honour of hitting the opening shot in 2015.
“It’s great for us to be able to stay at home – the only event we can do that,” said Drysdale, referring to the fact his wife Vicky is also his caddie. “We can’t even do that for the Dunhill Links.
“We have a holiday home next door to our house and, three years ago, we had a few guys staying and had barbecues at night. It was a good, fun week.”
Paired with Englishman Anthony Wall and American Ollie Schniederjans, Drysdale thrilled his loyal band of fans by opening with a birdie in 2015. He followed a first-day 71 with a second-round 65 before ending up joint-75th behind Rickie Fowler.
“I hit the first shot at 6.30am
0 Back in 2015, David Drysdale tied for 75th at the Scottish Open in Gullane but he did lead at one point – after hitting the first tee shot at 6.30am and making birdie at the hole. and led the Scottish Open for about five minutes after birdieing the first hole,” he said, smiling.
“Ollie Schniederjans was still an amateur at the time and has gone on to do some pretty good things on the PGA Tour the last couple of years.”
This will be Drysdale’s 15th appearance in the event,
0 European Tour regular Drysdale gives his wife, Vicky, a fist bump. having made his debut at Loch Lomond in 2003 and teeing up six more times there before being part of its journey around Scotland in recent years.
“I remember going to the Bell’s Scottish Open at Gleneagles as a spectator,” he said, recalling his first experience of the event. “One of the years I was there was 1992, when Peter O’malley produced his ridiculous finish to close with a 62 and beat Colin Montgomerie into second spot.
“One of the reasons I remember what year that was is because I played in the Open Championship at Muirfield the following week as a marker [partnering John Daly in the final round].
“As a player myself, doing well at Loch Lomond in 2006 would be my highlight. I remember going out in the third last game in the third round and the atmosphere was amazing. I was the only Scottish guy up there and got great support that day. It was fantastic. I’ve never been so nervous on the first tee in my life. I think I played with Jose Maria Olazabal that day. It was just a great experience.
“Gullane was great the last time and will be again this year, I’m sure. But there was always something special about playing at Loch Lomond. It was always a brilliant event.”
Since leaving there, the tournament has visited Castle Stuart, Royal Aberdeen and Dundonald Links as well as Gullane but, for Drysdale, the East Lothian venue has been his favourite.
“For me, Gullane has been the best course we’ve visited for the Scottish Open in recent years,” he said. “I don’t like modern links as they don’t feel like proper links courses. A course has to be there for a long time for it to feel linksy.
“I think the composite course worked well at Gullane in 2015, taking out what would be a driveable par 4 to start and also the 17th, which isn’t a great hole. The two holes from No 2 are strong par 4s late on in the round.
“The cream came to the top at Gullane last time with Rickie Fowler winning and Matt Kuchar also up there, as it did at Royal Aberdeen, where Justin Rose won, and also last year when Rafa Cabrera Bello triumphed at Dundonald Links.”