Colin Montgomerie has welcomed news the 2012 Scottish Open will be return to Castle Stuart near Inverness.

The shock withdrawal some months ago of major sponsor, Barclays threw some doubt into the future of Scotland’s premier golf event including a threat of losing its traditional date in the week before The Open and also a reduction in prize money.

Keith Waters confirms a return to Castle Stuart for 2012 Scottish Open.

However Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer with the European Tour, indicated the 2012 Scottish Open will return to the stunning Gil Hanse designed course to the east of Inverness and in the week before The Open, and there will also be no reduction in prize money.

“The European Tour will maintain the 2012 Scottish Open event at Castle Stuart and also it will retain its date in the week before the Open Championship,” he said.

“And while the Tour is still in discussion with sponsors, we can also assure the total prize money will be the same as this year, and that is £3m.”

Waters indicated the Tour was hopeful of naming a major sponsor to replace Barclays for Scotland’s premier golf event by the end of the year.

Monty, who is contesting this week’s inaugural co-sanctioned Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia, expressed his delight.

“It is very good news the Scottish Open remains locked in to the week before the Open and I’m delighted the Tour has confirmed that,” he said.

“We were all a little shocked when Barclays withdrew their sponsorship but then the Tour have indicated  they are talking to new sponsors and in this economic climate that is very comforting.

“Castle Stuart is a stunning new course and while we were very unlucky with the weather this year it will be good to go back there next year as it is an ideal warm-up for The Open..

“My only advice to organises is that the course needs to be toughened and that means tightening the fairways.”