As we continue our build-up to this week's Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open,
europeantour.com stats man Steve Doughty
picks his players to watch out for at Royal Aberdeen.
Luke Donald
- Won the first year the event was played at Castle Stuart Golf Links, near Inverness, and will try to make it a North East of Scotland double this week at Royal Aberdeen.
- His best finish on The European Tour so far this season is a tie for third at the BMW PGA Championship.
- Finished in a tie for 16th in 2012 in his defence of this title.
- The Royal Aberdeen course will suit controlled approach shots and a fine putting touch, skills that the Englishman has in abundance.
- Currently in the last qualifying place for The European Ryder Cup Team, so will be keen to perform well in order to enhance his position.
Jamie Donaldson
- Has become a very consistent player on the world stage.
- Is yet to win in 2014, but has proved very consistent with four top five finishes on The European Tour so far this season, two of which have come in his last two outings, after a tie for fifth at both the BMW International Open and Alstom Open de France.
- Has only missed one cut this season, which came at the US Open Championship.
- Is a proven performer on links courses after his maiden European Tour title came in the Irish Open at Royal Portrush in 2012.
- His best finish in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open came at Castle Stuart Golf Links in 2011, where he finished in a tie for tenth.
Stephen Gallacher
- Is a lover of links golf, hailing from Scotland, and having claimed his maiden European Tour title over the hallowed turf of the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, en route to taking the 2004 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
- Became the first person to successfully defend the Omega Dubai Desert Classic title earlier this year.
- Has been in contention a lot this season, with his recent form having elevated him into the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking.
- Is playing in his 17th Aberdeen Asset management Scottish Open, and would be a popular winner in front of his home support.
Mikko Ilonen
- In excellent form of late after his wire-to-wire triumph at the Irish Open.
- Has a proven pedigree for links golf, having won The Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool in 2000, the venue for next week’s Open Championship.
- Finished in a tie for ninth at The Open in 2001, following on from his amateur triumph the previous year.
- Has recorded three top five finishes already this season, all of which have helped the Finn climb into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Richie Ramsay
- None of the 156 competitors will have better knowledge of this week's layout than local, Richie Ramsay, after the Aberdeen-born man grew up playing his golf at Royal Aberdeen as an amateur.
- Will hope to improve his Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open record, with his best finish of a tie for 31st place coming at Castle Stuart Links back in 2011.
- Has claimed two top five finishes this season, and a return to his roots may inspire him to a third European Tour victory this week.
