In yet another boost for ogranisers, former Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open winner, Graeme McDowell confirmed he is returning to Europe to tee-up in next week’s event at the Renaissance Club to the east of Edinburgh.

McDowell has not contested a regular European Tour event year since last March in capturing the Saudi International.

‘G Mac’ had turned down competing in this week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, and an event he was due to host’, to defend his rescheduled Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic.

G Mac and caddy Ken Comboy on the tee at last year’s Aberdeen Standard Investment Scottish Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

McDowell ended a four-year victory drought earlier last year that the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown resulted in the $US4m event moved from its date in March to this week.

And while McDowell was disappointed not to tee-up in Ireland, he is excited to be playing next week in Scotland despite missing the cut in last week’s U.S. Open with scores of 76 and 80.

He said: “I’m going to play these next three weeks. I’m going to play here in Puntacana and head over and play the Scottish Open and the BMW PGA down at Wentworth, so I’m excited to play golf.

“I feel like I used last week’s U.S. Open positively as opposed to negatively in missing the cut.

“I used it as a kick start to move me back in the right direction where I need to be as opposed to something that was going to get me down, so looking forward to making some birdies this week.”

McDowell captured the 2008 Scottish Open at Loch Lomond but then missed the cut last year.