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European Tour: Aberdeen Standard Investment Scottish Open

By Matt Coles

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 13: Matt Kuchar of USA walks on hole five during day two of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Course on July 13, 2018 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 13: Matt Kuchar of USA walks on hole five during day two of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Course on July 13, 2018 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /
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The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open takes place this week, the third event of the European Tour’s Rolex Series.

The Scottish Open follows on from last week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, also a Rolex Series event, as players look to prepare for next week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

On Thursday, the field will tee it up at the Renaissance Club near North Berwick, for the 37th edition of the tournament.

It is the first time that the Scottish Open will be held at the Renaissance Club. The par-71, 7,136-yard course will provide a tough test, especially if conditions turn like we know they can on the Scottish coast.

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Last year’s victor, Brandon Stone, won the tournament at Gullane, as he shot a final-round 60 to record the lowest aggregate score in the event’s history, finishing with a score of 260, at 20-under-par.

The South African had the chance of becoming the first man to ever card a 59 on the European Tour, but he saw a birdie putt on the last just slide by the hole, on his way to carding a 60 on Sunday. If he were to win this week, he would become the first man to win the Scottish Open in back-to-back years.

The South African is in one of the strongest groups for the opening two days, playing alongside Ryder Cup foes Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Thomas, with the latter already finding his way around the course.

https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/1148577824363692032

As well as Stone, there are plenty of other former champions in the field this week. Rafa Cabrera Bello (2017), Rickie Fowler (2015), Edoardo Molinari (2010), Martin Kaymer (2009), Graeme McDowell (2008), Lee Westwood (1998) and Thomas Bjorn (1996) will all take part in North Berwick.

The likes of four-time major winner Rory McIlroy and Matt Kuchar, among others, will also take part in their final preparations ahead of next week in Northern Ireland.

There will also be plenty of support for some home favourites, including the winners of last year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, Russell Knox.

Oban-native Robert MacIntyre will attract a lot of attention, especially as he will tee it up with Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler for the opening two days.

Play will begin at 07:30 on Thursday morning, with three-balls teeing off on both the 1st and 10th holes at the Renaissance, thanks to the 156-strong field.

The groupings of Joakim Lagergren, Oliver Wilson and Scott Henry, and Stuart Manley, Matthew Southgate and Nacho Elvira will get things going on Thursday morning, with the final two groups, including South African Zander Lombard, teeing off at 14:30.

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Featured Groups (* means 10th tee-off):

  • 08:30* & 13:30: Brandon Stone, Terrell Hatton, and Justin Thomas
  • 08:40* & 13:40: Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, and Kevin Kisner
  • 13:10 & 08:10*: Graeme McDowell, Lucas Bjerregard, and Matt Kuchar
  • 13:20 & 08:20*: Rafa Cabrera Bello, Ian Poulter, and Matt Wallace
  • 13:40 & 08:40*: Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, and Rickie Fowler
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