LADIES SCOTTISH OPEN

TOP PLAYERS EXCITED FOR THE CHALLENGE OF LINKS GOLF

The top two players in the latest Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, No. 1 So Yeon Ryu and No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn, are both excited to kick off two weeks of links golf at this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open.

“I think on a links golf course, it’s very different than other any golf course, and you have to get used to it,” Ryu said. “Maybe only one week could be not enough time to get used to links-style golf course. But right now we’re playing the Scottish Ladies Open and then we’re going to play the British Women’s Open next week, as well, so we have a lot of chance to get used to links-style golf course which is very unique, but I love it. This is the Home of Golf and how golf started the first time, so I really like to get a feel for it.”

Jutanugarn echoed Ryu’s statement and mentioned how she likes that challenges associated with links golf.

“It’s going to be so hard and a real challenge for me because I think links course, really challenge because like degree and everything. It’s going to be fun,” Jutanugarn said. “I only played yesterday nine holes. What I like about it, I think it’s hard. So it’s going to be really hard to make like low score because the greens are really firm and a lot of the greens, we have to do something else.”

WIE HEALTHY AND READY TO GO

After having to withdraw from the U.S. Women’s Open due to injury, Michelle Wie is returning to action this week at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. 

“Feeling good, yeah,” Wie said with a smile. “The injections went really well in New York, and feeling good. Really excited to be out here playing.”

On Wednesday, Wie showed no ill effects of the injury hitting every club in her bag during a range session after playing a practice round on Monday. Wie said that she was excited to return to Scotland for two weeks of golf.

“I’ve always wanted to do this, to spend two weeks here,” Wie explained. “It’s so much fun. I think one week is not enough to really understand links golf and try to do well here. But it’s amazing. These two golf courses, Dundonald and Kingsbarns, doesn’t get much better than that. I’m really excited. Hopefully the weather stays okay. But the rain and the wind is what we’re here for, so we’re prepared for anything.”

BETH ALLEN SHOWS HER #SCOTSPIRIT

American born Golf Professional and adopted Scot, Beth Allen, has literally been carrying #scotspirit around the world with her this year as she took to the fairways for her rookie season on the LPGA Tour.

“I have to say Scotland is a magical place,” Allen said. “Whether I am walking the gothic streets of Edinburgh, shopping beneath the castle, crossing the Swilcan Bridge on the Old Course or hiking around Loch Lomond I always experience something different. I cannot say enough about the people of Scotland who have made this Californian feel incredibly welcome and they are the reason that the place is so unforgettable. I am immensely proud to carry #scotspirit on my golf bag as I travel the world playing the game I love on both the Ladies European Tour and now the LPGA.”

The 35 year old native Californian, fell in love with Scotland, the Home of Golf, when she joined the Ladies European Tour in 2008.  Now based in Edinburgh, Beth’s passion for her adopted country is reflected perfectly in VisitScotland’s global campaign which highlights how different people from across the country embody the ‘Spirit of Scotland’.

When Beth is not playing on tour or practicing at North Berwick West Golf Club she can be found exploring her beloved Leith or grabbing a coffee in Stockbridge. She is also fond of making the trip to Glasgow and exploring the bars and restaurants or playing some of the west coast links courses like Prestwick.

This week Beth returns to the fairways of Scotland when she tees off in the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links from the 27th until 30th July (www.ladiesscottishopen.com). Ahead of the tournament, Beth will also be a guest speaker at the Ladies Scottish Open Women’s Leadership Forum taking place today, Tuesday 25th July at the course.

MAKING MATHS COUNT

In partnership with the Scottish Government and North Ayrshire Council, Aberdeen will support Making Maths Count at both the 2017 Scottish Open and 2017 Ladies Scottish Open.

This year, North Ayrshire Council invited primary and secondary schools local to the Dundonald Links golf course to participate in a competition to put forward mathematical calculations depicting the relevant hole number (1-18) on the pin flags which will be used during the first full day of competition. 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It’s so different. It just feels like golf how it should be played. It kind of takes you in a time capsule back in the day and it’s pretty neat. It’s just completely different.”

-Michelle Wie on playing links golf