A total of ten Major Champions, boasting a glittering collection of 26 Major titles between them, will spearhead a sparkling cast which will assemble at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in just under three weeks’ time for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
American Phil Mickelson, who arrived in Scotland in July last year and embarked on a memorable journey at the Home of Golf which secured him the Scottish Open title in Inverness seven days before being crowned Open Champion at Muirfield.
The defending champion, who took his collection to five Major Championships, is joined in a field bursting with star quality by fellow Major winners Darren Clarke, Ernie Els, Sir Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie, Rory McIlroy, José Maria Olazábal, Louis Oosthuizen and Justin Rose.
The world-class nature of this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open from July 10-13 is underscored by the inclusion of Clarke, Els and Mickelson – all of whom played in the event at Castle Stuart Golf Links in 2011, 2012 and 2013 before going on to Open glory the following week, with Mickelson becoming the first player in Scottish Open history to achieve the ‘eight day double’.
Els, in fact, has always been a committed supporter of the Scottish Open and he won both of his Open titles in 2002 and 2012 having played in the event the previous week.
Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and McIlroy compete at the first Tour event staged at the classic Balgownie links as former winners of the season-long Race to Dubai in 2009, 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Eight of the victorious European Ryder Cup Team who pulled off the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ are reunited with their captain, Olazábal, while the Spaniard is joined by two other European captains in Sir Nick Faldo, the six-time Major Champion, and Paul McGinley, who will try to defend the famous trophy back in Scotland, at Gleneagles Hotel, in September.
In total 25 Ryder Cup players, past and present, will feature in the field at Royal Aberdeen, including Mickelson and Rickie Fowler from the US side, while McIlroy makes his first appearance on British soil since capturing the BMW PGA Championship in dramatic fashion at Wentworth Club.
Adding a further sprinkle of stardust to the assembly are the current Race to Dubai leader, Thomas Björn, the flamboyant Ian Poulter, Americans Jimmy Walker, Ryan Palmer and 50 year old Miguel Angel Jiménez – the oldest champion on The European Tour.
Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “We are now into our third year of sponsoring the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and we have been extremely happy to see the tournament grow in stature year on year.
“The strength of the field assembled for Royal Aberdeen is one of the strongest on The European Tour’s schedule and given the broadcast of the event on NBC in the US, it’s great to see a strong American and international contingent gathered to play in the City of Aberdeen, the home of Aberdeen Asset Management.”
The Rt Hon Alex Salmond, MSP, First Minister of Scotland, said: “The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is one of the flagship events on the European Tour attracting keen interest from golf fans around the world as they savor the fantastic atmosphere here in Scotland, the home of golf.
“We have a truly world class field at Royal Aberdeen next month with some of the game’s best players taking to one of Scotland’s finest links courses – I’m confident it will provide another week of outstanding golf.”
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, commented: “We are delighted that a field of the highest quality will assemble at Royal Aberdeen in just under three weeks’ time. With a host of Major Champions and tournament winners and Ryder Cup stars in the field, we can anticipate another superb week of world-class competition on a world-class links course.”
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 behereorhereor 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. Follow the event on Twitter at @AAMScottishOpen.
