Open Championship trials this week in Scotland, even if the race that begins today in Troon, on the Dundonald Links course, has acquired a new dignity this year thanks to the Rolex Series, the mini-circuit of excellence on the European tour. By virtue of this leap in quality, the prize pool of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is seven million dollars, with the first coin exceeding one million.
One more reason to attend the Scottish match, which has always been loved by big players, because it takes place a week before the third major of the year and serves to break in the game on British soil. The field is therefore of an excellent level and finally includes some American heavyweights and other big names on the international circuit such as the Australian Adam Scott. Among the stars and stripes champions stand out Rickie Fowler and Patrick Reed. On the track, for the second consecutive week, the Northern Irishman Rory Mc Ilroy who, seven days ago, at home, didn't even make it past the cut. There is a lot of anticipation to understand his form, in the hope that one of the most talented players in the world will find the right determination to win. Worth mentioning is the presence of the Swedish Henrik Stenson.
There are four Italians at the starting tees: Renato Paratore, Edoardo Molinari, Matteo Manassero and Nino Bertasio. The Azzurri will try to gain entry to the Open Championship in extremis. There are only three places still up for grabs and they will be assigned on Sunday, at the end of the tournament. To seize this last possibility, the players from the Belpaese will have to arrive at least within the top ten. The Italian flag will nonetheless fly at Royal Birkdale next week, thanks to Francesco Molinari and the amateur Luca Chianchetti, who won the 2016 European Championship.
