Scent of Open Championship this week in Scotland where, at Castle Stuart Golf Links in Inverness, the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is being played. The tournament, which begins today and ends on Sunday, traditionally precedes the third major of the year by a week and serves as a dress rehearsal for players who want to break in their swing on the rough British courses.
The Scottish Open is attended by big names and enjoys a particular prestige, it boasts the charm of tradition, regardless of the prize money it puts up for grabs. Among the big names in the field this week are Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler, winners of the last three editions of this beautiful competition.
From the United States arrive Steve Stricker, Patrick Reed, JB Holmes and Jamie Lovemark, while Italy shows off a formation made up of Edoardo Molinari, winner of the Scottish in 2010, Matteo Manassero, Nino Bertasio and Renato Paratore.
The European tour is represented at the highest level by Henrik Stenson, Martin Kaymer, Luke Donald, Chris Wood, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Rafael Cabrera Bello. Of note is the presence of Thai Thongchai Jaidee, winner of the French Open last Sunday. In all there are 156 players, from 26 countries. The prize pool is 3,8 million euros.
In the United States, on the other hand, there will be no competition this week due to the results of the bad weather and many seeds will stay at home to pack their bags. Among them Dustin Johnson, winner of the world championship last week, in front of an astonished Jason Day. Thanks to this success, Johnson is now second in the world rankings, where he surpassed the current number three Jordan Spieth and number four Rory McIlroy.
We will meet again these champions and many others next week in Ayrshire, also in Scotland. Among them will not be Tiger Woods, who a few days ago announced that he was giving up, for the first time in his career, the third major in a row in a single season.
