World No. 1 Rory McIlroy reaffirmed a decision to contest next year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

Earlier this year McIlroy ended a five-year absence to tee-up at Royal Aberdeen and immediately showed his fondness in posting a new Royal Aberdeen course record.

However McIlroy used the experience of playing links golf the week prior to an Open to head to Royal Liverpool and capture golf’s oldest Major.

Now the four-time Major winner says he will stick with the same schedule next year and defend his Scottish Open title at Gullane No. 1.

He said:  “I enjoy playing in Scotland a lot and I just loved playing the Scottish Open this year for a first time in five years at Royal Aberdeen, as I really enjoyed it.

“I thought it was great preparation for the Open Championship

“I don’t really know much about Gullane but playing in the Scottish Open definitely helped me prepare for The Open this year so I don’t see any reason why I should change a winning formula like that.

“So hopefully by playing at Gullane next year it will prepare me for my Open Championship defence at St. Andrews.

“I’ve always had a strong affiliation with Scotland as I played a lot of my amateur golf here in Scotland, so I’ve always enjoyed my time as the people are great and the golf fans always so knowledgeable.”

Rory McIlroy confirms he will contest the 2015 Scottish Open ahead of his Open Championship title defence at St. Andrews. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)