Newly-crowned Saudi International and former Scottish Open champ Graeme McDowell confirmed he’s likely to contest this year’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open despite declaring his dislike for the host Renaissance course to the east of Edinburgh
McDowell’s stature as a true global superstar was enhanced in ending a near six-year European Tour victory drought in winning by two shots along the Red Sea shoreline.
The victory was the 16th of McDowell’s career and remarkably a 12th in a dozen different countries. In fact, McDowell’s now sunk winning putts among those 16 career wins along the shores of nine renowned bodies of water.
This year’s Aberdeen Standard Investment Scottish Open will again take place along the Firth of Forth shoreline at The Renaissance Club, next door to Muirfield.
A year ago, McDowell’s Open Championship preparations a week later on his ‘home’ Royal Portrush course were soured in missing the Scottish Open cut by four shots.
McDowell said: “In missing the cut, I just didn’t like the Scottish Open golf course last year.
“But then I will be at this year’s Scottish Open …. (long pause in answering) … depending on what I do. If I am not into the Open Championship, then I will be at the Scottish Open. If I am close to making the Ryder Cup team, I will be at the Scottish Open.
“So, we’ll see. I just don’t like the golf course but then I am a big fan of Martin Gilbert, and everything he and Aberdeen Standard Investments have done for that tournament.
“The golf course is just average. I just didn’t have a good experience.
“It’s like when I went to the Dominican Republic in 2018 (PGA Tour Corales Puntacana Championship I didn’t have a good time. I didn’t love the place. I went back last year and won,” and in doing so he regained his PGA Tour card.
“The thing is The Renaissance in not a proper links course, so I think they will do a better job this year in setting it up, so I haven’t ruled it out.
“I am trying to be honest with you as I am an honest sort of fellow so there is a big chance I will be there as a lot of things have now changed for me schedule-wise with my Saudi win.”
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