MICKELSON READY FOR TITLE DEFENCE AT ROYAL ABERDEEN

    Phil Mickelson with the Scottish Open championship trophy

       Picture by courtesy of Getty Images(c)

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR

Phil Mickelson will return to the tournament which he firmly believes provided the launch pad for his 2013 Open Championship glory when the five-time Major winner defends his Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open title at Royal Aberdeen from July 10–13, 2014.

The World Number Four sealed a mesmerising ‘Scottish double’ on his last visit to the birthplace of the game, beginning with a dramatic victory at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart and culminating in his career-defining Open success seven days later at Muirfield.

Mickelson, who beat South African Branden Grace in a play-off at Castle Stuart,  attributes that victory as one of the crucial factors in his claiming a fifth Major victory and his first Open Championship title, the latter claimed when he finished three shots clear of Sweden’s Henrik Stenson after a stunning final day display at Muirfield.

His Claret Jug victory was the third in succession by a golfer who had played in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open the week previously, following in the footsteps of Darren Clarke (2011) and Ernie Els (2012).

The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open once again takes place in the week before The Open Championship, providing the perfect links platform for anyone competing in The 143^rd Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake.

Confirming his decision to defend the title at an exciting new venue in Royal Aberdeen’s established links in the north-east of Scotland, the 43 year old said he could not wait to return to a tournament he has always held close to his heart since making his debut in the event at Gleneagles in 1992.

"Winning the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open was a huge factor in my success the next week at The Open Championship,” said Mickelson.

“I was able to acclimate myself to the time change, the weather, the wind, the links conditions and all in the heat of serious competition, which itself was a big added plus.

“That helped sharpen my focus on hitting the proper shots and coming to grips with the results, good or bad. On top of that, winning gave me tremendous confidence going into The Open and confirmed my beliefs about what I was trying to do.”

Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management commented: “We are delighted that Phil has confirmed that he will defend his Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open title at Royal Aberdeen in 2014.

"He is a fantastic advocate of the event and his exceptional double-win in Inverness and Muirfield last year can only emphasise the value of playing a true links tournament in the week leading up to The Open Championship”.     

A season ticket for the 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open can be purchased for £60 in advance of the tournament, a saving of £20 on admission at the gate. Adult day tickets are currently priced at £25, rising to £35 on the gate.

Concessions (60 and over) start at £40 for a season ticket and £15 for any one-day tickets if purchased in advance. Under-16s accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge and all car parking is also free. Entrance to the Pro-Am on Wednesday is £8 in advance and £15 on the day.

Full ticket information can be found at:  www.aamscottishopen.com or www.europeantour.com/tickets or telephone Ticket Hotline:  +440800 023 2557. 
Postal enquiries should be sent to: European Tour Tickets, Mirren Court Three, 123 Renfrew Court Three, Paisley, PA3 4EA.