Scottish Open organisers have finally shown some last minute common sense and handed out the last four invitations to this week’s event to those needing them most.
After the surprise of handing an invitation to long-time former Tour pro Nick Faldo, who has not contested Scotland’s premier event since 2002, and little-known American Mike Miller, the last four remaining invitations were presented to the Scottish trio of double Tour winner Alastair Forsyth, David Law and Scott Henry.
It means Forsyth and Henry get the opportunity not only to play in front of a home crowd but boost hopes of retaining their European Tour card for 2015.
Scottish Open organisers hand double Tour winner Alastair Forsyth an invitation to this week’s Scottish Open.
A Scottish Open committee met this morning to discuss the merits of those in the mix of the remaining invitations.
Law tweeted his delight saying:
Delighted to get an invite for @AAMScottishOpen huge thanks to AAM and @EuropeanTour for the opportunity. Going to be a great week!
And in a huge turnaround organisers sensibly offered an invitation to England’s ultra-talented Matthew Fitzpatrick.
Unlike any player in this week’s event Fitzpatrick was staring at the bizarre scenario of having qualified automatically 10 months ago to tee up at Royal Aberdeen in capturing the US Amateur championship.
First organisers said ‘No’ but not they’ve said ‘Yes’ to Matthew Fitzpatrick who will tee up in his first ever Scottish Open. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
However when the very affable Shefffield golfer turned pro straight after the U.S. Open his Royal Aberdeen tee time was no longer valid.
It’s believed a text to Aberdeen Asset Management Chairman Martin Gilbert during the recent Irish Open asking if Fitzpatrick could be afforded an invitation was turned down.
Now with just three days to the commencement of the £3m event Fitzpatrick will be naturally delighted to be contesting his first-ever Scottish Open.
The inclusion of Forsyth, Law and Henry in the field increases the Scottish presence to 16 but then that is still a dozen short of the 28 French-born players who competed in the French Open.
