Ten of the world’s top fifteen headline strongest-ever Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open
The stage is set for more Ladies Scottish Open history with the strongest-ever field assembled for the 2018 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club from 26 – 29 July.
In only the second year of co-sanctioning between the LPGA and Ladies European Tour, the 156-strong international player field is better than ever with ten of the world’s top fifteen teeing it up at Gullane Golf Club, just two weeks after Brandon Stone captured the Aberdeen Standard Investments Men’s Scottish Open.
Defending champion, Mi Hyang Lee, who claimed her second career LPGA Tour title last year in spectacular fashion with a final round of 66, faces Major competition to retain her crown and once again ‘Rule the Links’ with this year’s field featuring no less than 16 Major champions and four former world No. 1 players.
Headed by world No. 2 and two-time Major champion, Sung Hyun Park, who is making her debut at the East Lothian links venue, is one of five current Major title holders; Ariya Jutanugarn, IK Kim, Anna Nordqvist and Pernilla Lindberg looking to cause an upset and conquer on Scottish soil.
Joining them as part of the elite field comprising of 22 former Solheim Cup players and more than 75 worldwide champions including players from 30 different nationalities, is Europe’s Solheim Cup captain and home favourite, Catriona Matthew, the youngest ever world No. 1, Lydia Ko, Ladies European Tour No. 1, Georgia Hall, Britain’s top ranked player, Charley Hull, and American superstar, Michelle Wie.
Commenting on returning to Scotland, Mi Hyang Lee, said, “I have such amazing memories of last year and loved everything about Scotland. To come back to the Home of Golf as defending champion is such an honour for me and I can’t wait to get back out on the links.”
Commenting on the line-up, Martin Gilbert, co-CEO of Aberdeen Standard Investments, said, “We are extremely proud to welcome so many world-class players to Gullane Golf Club this week and when you look at the field list of champions, it is difficult not to get excited by the week of golf ahead. It was always our vision to create an international world-class tournament in Scotland and we’re pleased to see that we are continuing to move in the right direction. We thank our partners VisitScotland for their continued support and wish the players and fans alike an excellent week of golf.”
Paul Bush, Director of Events with VisitScotland said: “In only the second year of co-sanctioning between the LET and LPGA, we are thrilled with the rate in which this championship continues to grow and we extend a warm welcome to the world’s best players to the renowned Gullane Golf Club for the first time. The standard of the field underlines the appeal which Scotland, the Home of Golf has as a golfing destination and we thank Aberdeen Standard Investments for their partnership on this tournament and their commitment to helping to raise the profile of golf in Scotland.”
Taking place the week before the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open will kick off a superb two weeks of women’s links golf in the UK. The back-to-back stretch of events echoes the successful strategy employed by the Men’s Scottish Open taking place the week before The Open – an approach proven to be a competitive advantage for those players competing in both Championships. The Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open is also a key element of Scotland’s commitments to the staging of The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles.
Watch the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish open LIVE on Sky Sports and the Golf Channel at the following times:
Thursday 26th July & Friday 27 July
Sky Sports: 1400-1700
Golf Channel: 09:30 – 11:30 ET
Saturday 28 July
Sky Sports: 15:00 – 18:00
Golf Channel: 15:00 – 18:00
Sunday 30 July
Sky Sports: 15:00 – 18:00
Golf Channel: 15:00 – 18:00
