Australia’s Adam Scott confirmed he will contest this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.
The former Masters champion is defending this week’s WGC – Mexico Championship in Mexico City but is adding Scotland’s premier event, and starting on Thursday July 13th, 2017, and in the week leading up to the 146th Open Championship.
It will be the first occasion the current World No. 7 ranked Scott has competed in a Scottish Open since 2009 when he shared fourth place behind Germany’s Martin Kaymer at Loch Lomond.
In the intervening eight years Scott has preferred to spend the week of the Scottish Open playing practice rounds on the Open Championship host venue.
Adam Scott bringing his Masters winning ways to this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
But not this year and with Scott eager to become the first ‘Down Under’ golfer to win a Scottish Open since now SKY Sports commentator Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley humbled Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie to win the 1995 Scottish Open at Carnoustie.
“I haven’t played a Scottish Open for a long while and I am looking forward to heading back to Dundonald, as I went over there about 10 years and just played the course for fun,” said Scott
“The last six years I have spent the entire week playing The Open venue just getting myself acclimatised and getting used to playing links shots .
“I just can’t think of a better preparation and I find it amazing the R & A let us do that, so I take full advantage.
“But then this year, and with a second baby due in August, my schedule is a little different so the thought of going over to play a few practice rounds at Birkdale and then playing the Scottish Open ahead of The Open as that sounds good to me
Dundonald Links and hosting this year’s 2017 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. (Photo – Dundonald LInks)
“And the good thing is that I will then head to Royal Birkdale and that’s a great track. I had a great experience playing there in the 2008 Open. I just played nicely without getting into contention.”
Scott will be among just 77 players competing this week in the world’s eighth highest capital city lying at nearly 8,000 feet.
It is first time a WGC will be staged in Mexico and with the tree-lined Club de Chapultepec course to host all but one of the world’s top-50 after World No. 2 Jason Day withdrew suffering from a double ear infection.
Scott is no stranger to competing at elevation given he’s played plenty of social rounds on the 5,500 feet Crans-sur-Sierre course in Swizterland, and one of the Australian’s global abodes.
It’s going to be very interesting going from sea level to well over 7,000 feet, so it will be a challenge for everyone to adjust to the different conditions.
“It’s going to be really high in Mexico City and while we played in Denver and I know Joburg is pretty high up, plus there’s Reno and Crans, it’s tricky playing at altitude.
“But I am sure we can work out pretty early in the week where the ball is going.”
