Here’s Wishing ‘Double D’ Finds That Pot Of Gold At This Week’s ASI Scottish Open

4 years ago by Comments Off on Here’s Wishing ‘Double D’ Finds That Pot Of Gold At This Week’s ASI Scottish Open

David Drysdale’s ‘golden rainbow’ wish would be if he were to capture a long-awaited maiden Tour title at this week’s Aberdeen Standard Investment Scottish Open at the Renaissance club in East Lothian.

It’s been 16-years years and now 504 European Tour events since the now 44-year old Drysdale made his debut on the European contesting the 1999 Scottish PGA Championship and a month after Paul Lawrie had captured The Open.

‘Double D’, as he affectionately called, then teed-up in a first Scottish Open in 2003 at Loch Lomond and while he then missed out competing in 2004, Drysdale has proudly appeared in every Scottish Open since 2005, and with a best of T25th that year.

And just how much a win would mean to proud Eyemouth Club attached Drysdale was underlined in a photograph taken during last week’s Irish Open of he and his caddying wife, Vicky under a rainbow and with Vicky tweeting the photo with the caption:  “We will find that pot of gold one day.  I know we will. Just not this week.”

 

And in heading to the Renaissance, Drysdale said:  “I played The Renaissance last week and it’s in really good shape but then, as we know here in the UK we are completely weather dependent.

“Last summer, we got four of the best days ever but given we’re coming into October, and also after the rain we’ve had of late, it was playing soft so, it’s going to play a little longer than last year and it’s going to be hard seeing anyone get to 22-under like Bernd (Wiesberger) did last year.

“Though the good thing I noticed in playing last week was they’ve cut back the rough in places while it’s knee high in some other areas.”

Dyrsdale went within a whisker earlier this year in capturing a maiden Tour title gallantly losing out in a five-hole play-off to Spaniard Jorge Campillo at the Qatar Masters.

It was the last event before four-month COVID-19 Tour lockdown and with Drysdale returning to celebrate his 500th Tour appearance early last month (August) at the Hero Open at the Forest of Arden.

Drysdale has effectively played just five events since the return to competition and having to withdraw with a lower back concern from a sixth with injury from the UK Championship at The Belfry.

Drysdale said: “My lower back has had a lot of wear and tear over the years and I’ve had to do a lot of stretching.

“It couldn’t have come at a worse time. I was doing a lot of driving and my back gave way.

“I made it to Celtic Manor for the first of the two Welsh events and then had to pull out. Then the drive home of about seven hours knackered me for a couple of weeks.

“I tried to play at The Belfry but lasted six holes and then missed Valderrama.

“So, I’m absolutely chomping at the bit and grateful to be back playing.”

Drysdale will be among 15 Scots teeing-up on Thursday in this week’s massive £5.5m event and the first of back-to-back Rolex Series events this pandemic affected season.

This year’s event boasts Major Champions in Lawrie, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer.

Other Scots include top world-ranked Robert MacIntyre at No. 90 in the world along with Glaswegian Ewen Ferguson who, along with fellow Modest Golf star Connor Ridge, was extended an invitation to tee-up in a first Scottish Open.

And the 24-year old Ferguson, who finished the leading Scot at last week’s Irish Open, said:  “It’s just unbelievable to be playing in my first Scottish Open.

“I’ve always wanted to play it since I was a little boy, it’ll be cool to play there and try my best and see what I can do.”

Fortunately for Ferguson he’s no stranger to the Renaissance having played the course two years in an Open Championship qualifier but posting a 74 and then withdrawing from the second round.

He said: “I’ve played Open qualifying there, so I know it’s a good and tough course. It can get pretty windy. If I go out and play my game it should be good.

“It’s a step up from playing Challenge Tour and having to deal with so much more. You have to be good at a lot of things, not just golf, you’ve got to be professional. You’ll have to get used to it eventually, it’s all just part of the journey.

“My game was in good shape, I just struggled with the different environment with the cameras and the microphones and everything going on.

“So, I just need to get used to that, you need to put yourself in position to keep learning from it, so it’s not bad.



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