Donald, Rose and Poulter to play in Scottish Open

The line-up at the  Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open has been enhanced with the addition of former champion Luke Donald and compatriots Justin Rose and Ian Poulter.

The talented trio will take their places alongside fellow Englishmen Ross Fisher, David Howell, David Lynn and Lee Westwood in the 32nd edition of the £3million event, which takes place at the stunning Royal Aberdeen Golf Club from July 10-13.

Rose, the reigning US Open Champion, will be making his first appearance in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open since 2011.

The Englishman is the latest Major Champion to add his name to elite field, following confirmation that defending champion Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy will also be teeing up in Aberdeen.

Rose denied Mickelson the only Major Championship he has yet to win when he captured the US Open Championship last June, but the American took some considerable consolation a month later when he won the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, before promptly lifting the Claret Jug at The Open Championship the following week.
It should also provide the ideal preparation for The Open Championship It is that double achievement that World No. 10 Rose now hopes to emulate after confirming his return to the event for the first time in three years, with The Open Championship taking place at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, in Hoylake, the following week. 

“I’m really looking forward to going to Royal Aberdeen and playing in the Scottish Open again,” said Rose, who finished tied 14th on his last appearance at Castle Stuart Golf Links in 2011.

“It should also provide the ideal preparation for The Open Championship. I’ve not played as well as I would’ve liked in The Open over the last couple of years and so, having seen what Phil did in 2013, I was keen to change my preparations and play at Royal Aberdeen.”

It will be the eighth time Rose has played in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, with his best performance coming in 2002, when he finished fifth.

Rose’s friend Poulter, the inspiration behind Europe’s miraculous Ryder Cup comeback at Medinah in 2012, will bring his special brand of intensity and passion to the tournament.

The colourful 38-year-old, who has lost just three times in 15 starts during his four Ryder Cup appearances, will return to compete in the event after an absence of five years.

Poulter finished tied third behind Mickelson and Swede Henrik Stenson in The Open Championship at Muirfield last year, just seven days after that pair had finished first and third in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

One year on, and Poulter is ready to take on the challenge of Royal Aberdeen, which has staged the Senior Open Championship and Walker Cup in the past.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to returning to the Scottish Open after a few years’ break. I’ve heard a lot of positive comments about the quality of Royal Aberdeen, and can’t wait to play a good old fashioned links course the week before going to Hoylake.”

Donald showed his liking for links golf when he triumphed at Castle Stuart Links Golf in 2011, romping to victory by four shots.
The 36 year old boasts a phenomenal record in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, having finished in the top five in each of his first four visits. 

Donald, who signalled a return to form with a runner-up in the RBC Heritage on the US PGA Tour two weeks ago, will bid to become the first Englishman to win Scotland’s national Open on two occasions when he makes his sixth appearance in the tournament.