McIlroy Confirms Entry to Scottish Open in July

It's been confirmed that Rory McIlroy is set to make a return to Scotland to play at the Aberdeen Asset Scottish Open from July 13th - 16th at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire.

He will join a line up of "major" stars including Open Champion Henrik Stenson, 2013 Masters Champion Adam Scott and defending champion Alex Noren when they tee it up at the west coast golf course next month.

McIlroy’s season has been affected by a rib injury but as he prepares to make his second return from the sidelines this season at the US Open, the World Number Two revealed he has added the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open to his summer schedule.

The Northern Irishman had success at the 2014 Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen finishing tied 14th going on the following week to win his first Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. The Scottish Open is viewed as ideal preparation with four of the last five Open champions having played in the Scottish Open the week before.

McIlroy said,

“I'm going to play Scottish, so I'm going to play Irish, Scottish and The Open,” said the 28 year old. “That’s a great run of three weeks of links golf and will be a great way to get ready for the Open. I’m excited about that run and to be able to play a lot of links golf in that short time frame.

“Having had such stop-start season with the injury means I need to, and really want to play golf. One thing you realise when you are injured is how much you want to play and miss playing and I need to play in events to get some momentum and hopefully knock off a couple of really big wins over the summer.”

Gary Wilkinson from SIGTOA commented,

“It's great to see someone of the stature of Rory McIlroy choosing to play in the Scottish Open. It is always positive when the stars are seen playing courses that are not normally seen on TV by golfing fans and it will highlight just how good a golf course Dundonald Links is and what a diverse destination Ayrshire itself offers.
All of our Tour operators have been singing the praises of the links at Dundonald for many years and it is always impressed first time players from across the world. We ourselves offer it as part of a great three day links golf pass which is ideal for visiting golf groups and societies."

This Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be the fourth event in the European Tour’s new Rolex Series, a premium category of tournaments on the Race to Dubai with minimum prize funds of US$7million.

Find out more about The Ayrshire Golf Pass here

Carnoustie Appoints first Chief Executive

The Scottish Incoming Golf Tour Operators Association have a new name to work with in the future with the appointment of the first every Chief Executive at Carnoustie Golf Links with the appointment of Michael Wells.

As part of an ambitious drive to further its reputation as one of the world’s top golf destinations, Wells joins the Carnoustie team from The R&A in St Andrews, where he was the Director of Championship Staging at The Open.

The Open Championship, will return to Carnoustie in July 2018 and SIGTOA are looking forward to both the appointment and the return of the championship to Scotland.

A SIGTOA spokesman said,

"We'd all like to wish Michael Wells the very best of luck in his new position at Carnoustie and we are all looking forward to helping work with the new CEO in maximising the opportunities for developing the golf travel trade side of the business over the years ahead. Such a high profile appointment is good news for Scottish golf as a whole and reaffirms the importance of the sector to the economy"

He won the post over an impressive field of candidates from all over the world and Carnoustie Chairman, Pat Sawers, said, “Michael has extensive knowledge of all facets of golf administration, particularly in relation to staging major tournaments.

“He has done a great job as a Director at The R&A and I believe he is the right leader to entrust with developing our brand and ensuring that Carnoustie Links continues to be recognised as one of the most challenging Links golf courses in the world.”

Michael Wells already knows Carnoustie Links well. During his time at The R&A, he has been involved in The Open on two previous occasions there, including his first Open in 1999 when Paul Lawrie lifted the famous Claret Jug, and in 2007 when Padraig Harrington won the first of his back-to back victories in the Championship.

He is expected to take up his post shortly after The Open at Royal Birkdale and said,

“I feel privileged and honoured to be selected to become Carnoustie Golf Links’ first Chief Executive. Carnoustie has a reputation for being one of the toughest courses in the world and one that every golfer should aspire to play. I am very excited about the opportunity to work alongside the fantastic team at Carnoustie and to help develop its reputation as a world-class golfing destination.”