The 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is set to be the strongest instalment of the event yet, as the tournament; that is free to enter, gets underway this week.
The 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is set to be the strongest and most international instalment of the event yet, as the tournament; that is free to enter, gets underway this week at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire, Scotland, from 24-26 July.
Along with seven Major victories, the final field for this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open has no less than 238 Ladies European Tour titles between them, all who will be competing for the increased prize fund of €500,000 (£360,000) in Scotland – the Home of Golf.
Trish Johnson, the 2014 Champion, has the tough task of defending her title against a field including a number of the world’s best players. The entry list includes World No.2 Lydia Ko, World No.7 Suzann Pettersen, English starlet Charley Hull, Scotland’s two-time winner Catriona Matthew, LPGA star Cheyenne Woods and English legend Dame Laura Davies.
The star-studded field of 80 professionals, who will be joined by 80 amateurs in the unique event, is also one of the most international on the Ladies European Tour with 22 nationalities represented in the field. Many of whom will be travelling to Turnberry for the Ricoh Women’s British Open the following the week.
World no 7, Suzann Pettersen is one such player looking ahead to a great fortnight of golf in Scotland. “I’m excited to be back in Scotland,” said Pettersen. “I’ve never played back-to-back leading up to the Women’s British Open so I decided to try and change it up a bit and fall in love with links golf.”
“Before I got here I’d heard so much great stuff about this golf course. I’ve played almost two full rounds and it’s a beauty of a links course. I usually find it takes a couple of days to adjust my game as it is very different to the courses we normally play in America. Hopefully I can have two great weeks in Scotland.”
Pettersen, who is making her debut in the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is keen to make an impact on Scottish soil. “I like to collect wins around the world and this is a place I’ve not managed that yet. I’ve been close the last couple of years. In the British Open at Birkdale last year I finished second, so I’m finding the formula to do well in it. I’m now hoping that I can become even more familiar with links golf heading into Turnberry next week.”
Another player following suit and adjusting to the Scottish time and weather is American, Cheyenne Woods. “Back in the US it’s now into the real summer. Where I live in Arizona, It’s like 110 degrees every day so it takes a bit of adjustment,” said Cheyenne who recently became an ambassador for title sponsors, Aberdeen Asset Management.
Woods, who already has one Ladies European Tour title to her name at the Volvik Ladies Masters in 2014, has her eyes set a good performance here in Scotland.
When asked what a win would mean to her, Woods said, “I think that would be amazing. The history of golf in Scotland is special so to be able to win here would be special. It would be a great week for me. I’ve not got any tips from Tiger about playing links golf but maybe I need to text him tonight.”
Spectators who are looking to attend the free entry event at Dundonald Links have a lot in store, with a packed spectator village and activities for the whole family to get involved in. With celebrities sprinkled amongst the star filed, headlined by Lydia Ko, the stage is set for a great three days of golf. Something which Pettersen strongly agrees with and is pleased to be joined by the new star in the ladies game.
“She’s a great asset to women’s golf and has been fantastic for women’s golf over the past couple of seasons,” Pettersen said of Ko.
“She’s a young star, one of many actually. What she has achieved is quite outstanding. We play every week so I’m used to seeing her. Seeing her here is just like another week but it’s great for the tournament and the rest of the field. I’ve never played in a Pro-Am format throughout a tournament…..hopefully I get a good hacker.”
The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links takes place from 24-26 July.
For more information visit www.ladiesscottishopen.com
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