Last call for The Open

With just one week remaining before The 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon, the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open represents the final opportunity for those not already exempt to grab a coveted spot in the field at golf’s oldest Major.

This week’s showpiece at Castle Stuart is the last event in the global Open Qualifying Series, with four qualifying places available for the leading four players – not otherwise exempt – who finish in the top 12 and ties.

In the 100th Open de France last week, there was joy for Brandon Stone, Alex Noren, Callum Shinkwin and Richard Sterne – but who will claim their place at Troon this week in Inverness?

Of the 156 players in the field for the Scottish Open this week, 49 already have their places booked for The Open, meaning there are a further 107 players all vying for one of those four sought-after spots – including some high profile names.

YE Yang, who overcame Tiger Woods in his prime to win the US PGA Championship at Hazeltine in 2009, is yet to secure a place in the field at the Ayrshire venue and the Korean will be doubly intent on doing just that this week at Castle Stuart.

The Korean narrowly missed out on one of the qualifying spots on offer in this event at Gullane 12 months ago. Despite finishing tied tenth, he lost out to Rikard Karlberg based only on their respective places in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Danish veteranThomas Bjornis another notable name not yet in The Open field as it stands. The 15-time European Tour winner has had a number of close scrapes with the Claret Jug over the years – finishing runner-up in 2000 and 2003 – along with a further three top ten finishes.

Bjorn will be hoping memories of his Scottish Open triumph 20 years ago at Loch Lomond can prove inspirational this week.

Also amongst those looking to book their Open spots this week in the Scottish Highlands are former European Number OneRobert Karlsson, four-time European Tour winnerMatteo Manassero, Medinah heroNicolas Colsaerts, two-time championAlex Levy and 2014 Ryder Cup skipperPaul McGinley.