Rickie Fowler, a Ryder Cup team-mate of Phil Mickelson in 2010, is the latest big-name American golfer to accept the challenge of Royal Aberdeen in next month’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
With five-time Major Champion Mickelson set to defend his title from July 10-13 over the fearsome Balgownie links, Fowler has added his considerable talent and charisma to the truly international field which currently includes 23 of the world’s top 60.
The 25 year old Californian, instantly recognisable on Sundays in the vivid orange colours of Oklahama State University, won the Wells Fargo Championship on the US PGA Tour in 2012, two years after making an impressive Ryder Cup debut at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.
Fowler memorably birdied the final four holes on that dramatic Monday finish to snatch a half point with Edoardo Molinari which almost secured The Ryder Cup for his country.
It will be Fowler’s debut appearance in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and he said: “I am really looking forward to playing in the Scottish Open for the first time and checking out one of the great Scottish links courses which everyone is talking about.
“Phil set the standard last year when he won the ‘Scottish’ and the ‘British’ back to back and it will be fun to play in these two tournaments in Aberdeen and Liverpool and see what I can do.”
Fowler is part of a formidable American challenge for the title which Mickelson captured in swashbuckling style last year following a play-off with South African Branden Grace.
Mickelson finally succeeded after several years of trying, including a play-off loss to Frenchman Gregory Havret at Loch Lomond, but he returns once again to pit his wits against the links terrain in Aberdeen before moving on to Liverpool for his Open defence at Hoylake.
Mickelson and Fowler are joined in the world class line-up by Jimmy Walker, a three-time champion on the US PGA Tour this season and fellow countrymen Ryan Palmer, Matt Every, Kevin Streelman and rising star Mike Miller.
Another American with a big chance is Peter Uihlein, the 2013 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, who enjoyed a tremendous debut season on The European Tour, including a tie for tenth in last year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart Golf Links.
Discounted tickets to see the host of world-class players in action at the 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open are now on sale. A season ticket can be purchased for £70 in advance of the tournament, a saving of £10 on admission at the gate. Adult day tickets are currently priced at £30, rising to £35 on the gate.
Concessions (60 and over) start at £50 for a season ticket and £20 for any one day tickets if purchased in advance. Under-16s accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge and all car parking is also free. Entrance to the Pro-Am on Wednesday is £10 in advance and £15 on the day.
Full ticket information can be found at:www.aamscottishopen.comandwww.europeantour.com/ticketsor telephone Ticket Hotline: +44 (0) 800 023 2557. Postal enquiries should be sent to: European Tour Tickets, Mirren Court Three, 123 Renfrew Court Three, Paisley, PA3 4EA.
