Lydia Ko, who has just spent 19 weeks as world no 1 and is undoubtedly the brightest star in women’s golf has confirmed she will compete in next month’s Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links from 24-26 July.
The Kiwi, who is still only 18 years old, has already racked up 11 professional wins on Tour, including 3 on the Ladies European Tour and will head to the ‘Home of Golf’ for a fortnight in July with the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open taking place just a week before the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Turnberry.
Ko, who will be playing in the unique Pro-Am format event for the first time, will line up amongst a strong field that also includes the likes of Suzaan Pettersen, the world No 5, last year’s European Order of Merit Champion, Charley Hull, Cheyenne Woods as well as two-time winner Catriona Matthew and defending Champion, Trish Johnson.
“I’ve heard great things about the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open so I’m extremely excited to be playing in it” said Ko.
Along with now occupying a prime spot on the Ladies European Tour the free to attend event also offers an increased prize fund of €500,000. The 54-hole tournament is played over three days and is the only annual professional Ladies European Tour event in Scotland and will see 80 amateurs and celebrities tee it up alongside a limited field of 80 of the top female golfers in the world.
“Scotland is of course the home of golf and somewhere I would like to play more often. To play Dundonald Links ahead of the Ricoh Women’s British Open will be a great fortnight of golf and I can’t wait to play in front of all the Scottish fans!”
“It’s important for me to play on the international circuit amongst the world’s best players and on the world’s best courses. Links golf always makes things more interesting and with the field being assembled for the Ladies Scottish Open it will be a tough test, but I’m looking forward to it and acclimatising to links golf ahead of Turnberry the following week” finished Ko.
Martin Gilbert, CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management, commented: “Its great news that Lydia has confirmed she will play in the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open in order to have the best links preparation for the Women’s British Open the following week. To have both Rory McIlroy and Lydia Ko at Aberdeen sponsored events this year is a real testament to how far the tournaments have progressed and how they have become must-play events on the world’s best player’s schedules.”
Paul Bush, Director of Events at VisitScotland, said: “We will be delighted to welcome Lydia and a number of the world’s best players back to Scotland, the Home of Golf, for the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. Scotland is proud to host the best events in world golf and with a terrific field and a fantastic new venue, the 2015 Ladies Scottish Open is shaping up to be one of the best instalments of the event yet, here in the country where the game began.”
Bill Donald, General Manager of Loch Lomond Golf Club and Dundonald Links said: We are delighted that Lydia Ko will be playing in the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links. It is a superb endorsement for the event and of course we at Dundonald Links are delighted that Lydia joins what is already an exceptional play list. The course is in great shape and with designer Kyle Philips magic touch it will be a true links test for all concerned.”
For more information on the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open please visit www.ladiesscottishopen.com #BePartOfTheGame.
