The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open – one of the premier events on the Ladies European Tour, is embarking on an exciting new era in 2015 with its new date and increased prize fund continuing to evolve the event and today’s announcement that a star studded international field is shaping up for the tournament’s first staging at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire, Scotland, from 24-26 July.
In what is testament to the event’s new prime spot on the calendar – sitting just one week ahead of the Ricoh Women’s British Open, world number eight and two-time Major winner, Suzann Pettersen of Norway, is set to feature in the €500,000 event amongst the likes of America’s Cheyenne Woods and England’s Charley Hull, underlining the global nature of the field commencing on the West Coast of Scotland at the free to attend event.
The trio of stars will also be joined at the Loch Lomond owned, Dundonald Links, by headline players such as two-time champion and home favourite, Catriona Matthew, defending champion, Trish Johnson and World Golf Hall of Fame member, Dame Laura Davies, along with Scottish stars, Kylie Walker, Pamela Pretswell, and 2012 champion Carly Booth.
Suzann Pettersen, who will be making her first appearance in the Ladies Scottish Open has amassed 21 professional victories worldwide and is keen to add the Ladies Scottish Open to her résumé. She said: “The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is one of the events I’m really looking forward to playing this year. The field is looking really strong and I’m sure a number of other players will consider playing Dundonald Links, as it provides the perfect preparation for the major a week later.”
One player following suit and heading to West Coast of Scotland a week early is American, Cheyenne Woods. Niece of 14-time major Champion Tiger, Cheyenne has made a solid start to her life as an LPGA Tour rookie and already has one win on the Ladies European Tour. “It will be an exciting couple of weeks for me” said Woods, who is keen to leave a lasting impression on Scottish soil this summer. “Links golf in Scotland is completely different to anything I would find back in the United States. I am looking forward to competing at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open and carrying some confidence and preparation into the Women’s British Open that follows it.”
English starlet, Charley Hull, has a warm affection of playing in Scotland when as a young 15 year old, she helped Great Britain and Ireland end America’s 16-year dominance of the Curtis Cup in Nairn. “Playing in Scotland – the home of golf, is always special and I have great memories of my time there as an amateur,” said Hull, who still at only 19 is the reigning Ladies European Tour Order of Merit winner. “A lot of players on tour have told me good things about the unique format of the Ladies Scottish Open so I’m looking forward to making my debut and testing my links game in front of the Scottish golf fans,” finished Hull.
If any player is to feel at home at the Kyle Phillips designed Dundonald Links, it will be the two-time Ladies Scottish Open champion, Catriona Matthew. Matthew, who clinched the title in 2011 and 2013 is well known for her links game but knows completing a hat-trick of titles will be a tricky task with the field being assembled at the new venue.
“An Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open hat-trick would be a huge achievement for me but it looks like there will be some strong contenders for that trophy again this year. Whoever wins it will have to be at the top of their game,” Matthew said. “In what is a big month for Scottish golf the international field being assembled will really help in continuing to showcase ladies golf to a global audience,” Matthew added.
With further names expected to be announced in the coming weeks, Martin Gilbert, CEO of title sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management said, “We knew the prospect of playing Dundonald Links a week ahead of the Women’s British Open would be a nice draw for some of the top players as it mirrors what we do with the men’s Scottish Open the week before The Open Championship.”
“As we continue to build our brand globally we also continue to support all levels of the game and we hope this double header of tournaments raises the profile of women’s golf both here in the UK and internationally. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Dundonald Links in July.”
Harry Owen, Tournament Director of Event Promoters, Corbis Entertainment commented, “We’re thrilled that a number of the world’s top golfers will be joining us at Dundonald Links come July, which really is testament to the commitment shown by Aberdeen Asset Management and Visit Scotland to the development of the ladies game as a whole.”
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, added: “There is no doubt the Ayrshire coastline is one of the finest golfing regions anywhere in the world and we are delighted to see such a world class field assembling for the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. Inspiring more women and young females to play golf is vital to the sport and we hope seeing these international stars playing on their own doorsteps will encourage people to take up the game.
“It is yet another great event in 2015 which will help to promote Scotland as the Home of Golf to audiences around the world and encourage them to visit the country where the game began.”
The 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open’s unique pro-am format sees 80 amateurs and celebrities tee it up alongside a limited field of 80 of the top female golfers in the world. The 54-hole tournament is played over three days at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire, Scotland, from 24-26 July and is free to attend for all the family. To follow all the action and for more information visit the event website at www.ladiesscottishopen.com and follow #BePartOfTheGame
