Former World No. 1 Rory McIlroy and defending champion, Phil Mickelson will head a large contingent of Major Champions along with a very talented Swede set to tee up in next year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen.
McIlroy rubber-stamped his first appearance in Scotland’s premier event in what will be five years soon after racing to a two shot lead on day one of the WGC – HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
It will be also McIlroy’s first visit to the Aberdeen region.
Phil Mickelson joins Rory McIlroy and a golf bag full of other Major Champions confirming for next year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. (Photo – Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)
“The Scottish Open is definitely on my schedule and I’m looking forward to playing Royal Aberdeen,” said McIlroy.
“I’ve never been to that part of Scotland but I’ve heard so much about the course and besides it’s a true links golf course and what better way to prepare for The Open than on a links course.
Mickelson has also confirmed he will defend his title after becoming the first player ever in the same season to capture the Scottish Open & Open Championship double.
“I haven’t been to Royal Aberdeen before so you can mark me down as I will be there,” said the World No. 3.
“I’ve heard great things about the course and after winning at Castle Stuart and then at Muirfield how can I not be looking forward to defending both tournaments.”
Joining Mickelson will be fellow former Scottish Open winner Graeme McDowell who, after posting a 69 in Shanghai, has again apologised for his criticism of this year’s Gil Hanse designed Castle Stuart venue.
“It’s going to be a busy time for me at that time of the year as I’m playing the Irish Open, defending the French Open and then I would very much like to add the Scottish Open to my 2014 schedule,” said McDowell.
“Of course, I made a bit of a feau par this year criticising Castle Stuart when in fact I was really just trying to talk about strengthening-up the course and getting world-class field that a Scottish Open deserves.
“I inadvertently had a go at Castle Stuart which I didn’t mean to do.
“I’ve heard great things about Royal Aberdeen and I’m sure it will attract more and more top players from what I am hearing.
“I always enjoy playing golf in Scotland and some quality links golf the week before an Open is always a good idea as Phil (Mickelson) showed us this year.”
And an official with ISM indicated three of their Major Champions in former Open Champions Louis Oosthuizen and Darren Clarke along with Masters winner Charl Schwartzel will also tee up at Royal Aberdeen.
Also set to return to the Scottish Open is exciting Swedish and PGA Tour based star Jonas Blixt.
Blixt, who posted a first round 70 in China, intends taking up full European Tour membership from the start of 2014 with the goal of making the Ryder Cup, and the 29-year old Jacksonville golfer has a special connection with Royal Aberdeen.
“I played in one of the big Scottish amateur events at Royal Aberdeen and it was in the 2008 Scottish Open at Loch Lomond I made my professional debut,” he said.
“But then I’m taking out European Tour membership for the sole reason on trying to make the Ryder Cup team.”
European Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley thinks so highly of current World No. 38 ranked Blixt he sat down with him during this year’s PGA Championship at Oak Hill, and with McGinley later remarking that he was impressed with the ‘spunk’ Blixt brought to the course.
“It’s great that Paul thinks that way and I still can’t believe he sought me out at the PGA and wanted to have a chat with me,” said the Swede.
“I had never ever met him before but he gave me his mobile number and said that if I wanted to ask him then to phone, and even though he only spoke to me for a short time he left a very big impression on me.
“I’m a player that will give 110% every time I go out on the golf course, and I get very disappointed when I don’t perform to my own standards, so I sort of wear my heart of my sleeve.”
