LUKE DONALD WILL DEFEND SCOTTISH OPEN AT CASTLE STUART

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR

Luke Donald, the most successful golfer on the planet right now, has today confirmed that he will return to Castle Stuart Golf Links next July to defend the Scottish Open title which helped him make golfing history in 2011.

The 34 year old Englishman, who ends the year as Number One in The European Tour’s Race to Dubai, top of the US PGA Tour money list and Number One in the World, acknowledged that winning the Scottish Open title in July played a huge part in his success in The Race to Dubai, which ended on Sunday.

Donald shot a stunning final round of 63 to complete a four-stroke victory over Sweden’s Fredrik Andersson Hed to collect his first Scottish Open title and the World’s Number One said today: “Of course, I’m over the moon to know that the Scottish Open is going back to Castle Stuart, a course I very much enjoyed.

“I had a great time there a few months ago and picking up the trophy was a huge step in my career. The Scottish Open is one of the favoured tournaments on The European Tour and I can’t wait to get back there. Staging the event on a links encouraged a better field and to have some preparation on this type of course the week before The Open is what everyone is looking for.  

“It’s a huge event on the Tour schedule and having already won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth it gave me a significant lead in The Race to Dubai. Every little helps – and winning the Scottish Open was a massive help.”

The 2011 Scottish Open  boasted one of the strongest fields on The European Tour International Schedule, with many of the world’s best players in action just a few days before The Open Championship, and the scene is set for a repeat performance in 2012 the week prior to The Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

 Following the eagerly-anticipated announcement of the Scottish Open’s return to the widely acclaimed Castle Stuart Links, tickets are now on sale at substantial winter discounts on www.europeantour.com/tickets