Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh and Nigeria’s Georgia Oboh are the beneficiaries of the final two invitations for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open taking place next month, Aug 13 – 16 at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, as professional women’s golf returns to Scotland for the first time since Europe’s remarkable triumph in the 2019 Solheim Cup last September.
Dryburgh is Scotland’s highest ranked player at No.227 on the Rolex Rankings and, with two back to back wins on the recent Rose Ladies Series, she is undoubtably proven herself to be Britain’s most in-form player. Clearly thrilled to be given the opportunity to play in her home Open, Dryburgh commented: “Huge thanks to Aberdeen Standard Investments and VisitScotland for giving me this opportunity. I would have hated not being able to play in what is one of my favourite events of the year, especially when I have been playing so well lately. I know that Aberdeen Standard Investments, Visit Scotland and IMG have had to work really hard to put all the health and safety protocols in place to ensure the tournament can go ahead and we are all very grateful and excited to get back to The Renaissance Club.”
Georgia Oboh, the first Nigerian golfer to win her card on the LET, was selected for a coveted tournament invite by title sponsor, Aberdeen Standard Investments. Both for the accolades she has received in her short professional career but also to provide inspiration and opportunities for the next generation of talented women to participate in events of this stature.
Oboh commented: “I’m really grateful to receive this invitation into such an important event on the LET and LPGA Tours. I have been working very hard to be ready to play amongst so many of the world’s best players and I think it will give me invaluable experience as I work towards achieving my dream of being the first Nigerian to win on the professional golf circuit.”
Jill Maxwell, Head of Brand Activation at Aberdeen Standard Investments said: “We are thrilled to welcome both Gemma and Georgia into the Ladies Scottish Open field. Gemma has been in great form of late and inviting Georgia as one of the highest ranked African golfers helps to provide an opportunity for the development of talent. As a global sponsor, we want to use our platform to ensure that golf, as a sport, is increasingly accessible to everyone. Both Gemma and Georgia are great role models, paving the way for others from all backgrounds to achieve their dreams too.”
Paul Bush, Director of Events at VisitScotland, added: “The player field for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open is extremely exciting with a good array of Scottish talent competing alongside a very strong international contingent. Both Gemma and Georgia are great additions to the field and we look forward to welcoming them to East Lothian. We’re pleased to be able to support the return of top-class women’s golf as part of our long-term commitment to equality across both sport and society and building on our successful hosting of The Solheim Cup last year.”
The field for the 2020 event is even stronger than last year with three of the world’s top ten ranked players on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings in the field – Japan’s Nasa Hataoka,(No.4) America’s Danielle Kang (No.5) and Australia’s Minjee Lee. (No.8) There are 22 players ranked within the World’s Top 50, seven of the top 10 players currently leading the LPGA Race to CME and all of the top 20 on the final 2019 LET Order of Merit.
The other two tournament invitations were awarded last week to Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, the AIG Women’s Open’s defending Champion and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, a two-time winner of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open in 2011 and 2013 and a Women’s British Open winner in 2009.
This year’s tournament is going ahead as a made for TV event following close consultation and collaboration with the Scottish Government, Aberdeen Standard Investments, VisitScotland, the LPGA and the LET, fully adhering to internationally recognised COVID-19 protocol.
The decision to move forward with the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open was taken only once organisers and stakeholders could ensure delivery of an event with all relevant safeguarding and protocols in place. The tournament has a robust operational plan, which has been established with medical and health and safety specialists to make sure that all appropriate measures are in place that meet the high standards required by the Scottish Government as well as adhering to all WHO guidelines.
Fans will be able to watch the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open on Sky Sports and the Golf Channel, with enhanced content on its digital channels, www.ladiesscottishopen.com, @LadiesScottish #ASILSO #RuleTheLinks.
