Scottish Open announcement

Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open forms part of new Rolex Series

VisitScotland and Aberdeen Asset Management have welcomed the news that the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be part of the newly announced Rolex Series as part of an enhanced European Tour schedule for 2017.

The European Tour revealed that the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, taking place at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire in 2017, will benefit from an enhanced prize fund of US$7 million thanks to the agreement as well as a significantly enhanced media profile through improved television and digital production and increased coverage worldwide.

The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open has long been a favourite event of the world’s best players, occupying an envied position the week before The Open and offering players the perfect links preparation for the world’s oldest major championship.

Five of the last six Open Champions have played in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open the week before, including Phil Mickelson who completed a historic double winning both events back to back in 2013 at Castle Stuart and Muirfield and Henrik Stenson, who recorded a record-low score of 20-under par en route to winning at Royal Troon in 2016.

The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open’s inclusion in the Rolex Series means the event is now likely to appeal to even more of the world’s best players, enhancing an already world-class player field looking to win the coveted Scottish Open title while at the same time seeking competitive action on a links course the week before The Open.

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “Through our strong partnership with Aberdeen Asset Management and the European Tour we have enjoyed seeing the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open go from strength to strength and the announcement of its inclusion in the Rolex Series for 2017 is an indication of its importance to the European Tour schedule.

“This announcement will further enhance the appeal of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open to the world’s best players and see the outstanding images of world-class golf courses in Scotland, the Home of Golf, shared with even more potential visitors around the world.”

Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “It has always been our ambition, together with The European Tour and VisitScotland, to continue to grow this great tournament into one of the biggest in the world. To be part of the newly formed Rolex Series, coupled with the fact the tournament became the first regular European Tour event to be shown live on NBC, further positions the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open as one of the jewels in the crown of the world’s golfing calendar. Credit to Keith Pelley and his team for having the vision and determination in making it happen.”

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open has always been one of the leading events on our schedule, based on the world class golf courses in Scotland and its proximity to the Open Championship, and its inclusion in the Rolex Series will only serve to enhance that position.”