Scottish Open qualifier heading back to Longniddry

Following the success of last year's event at the East Lothian course, Longniddry is to stage the qualifier for the 2019 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

The two-round tournament, supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments, the EventScotland team within VisitScotland and the European Tour, takes place on July 6 and 7 and, once again, will see four players secure spots in the $7 million Rolex Series tournament at The Renaissance Club the following week.

A prize fund of £35,000 will also be up for grabs in the event, which is a PGA in Scotland Order of Merit tournament, for the fifth year running.

"The four Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open qualifiers so far have been a great success and we are looking forward to building on that when the event returns to Longniddry in July," said PGA in Scotland manager Shona Malcolm.

"We are fortunate to be staging the event once again at this golf club, where the course provides a true test of golf and the members offer a warm welcome to players, officials and spectators alike."

Club captain Keith Bowman added: “We are delighted to be hosting again this year. It is yet further vindication of the challenge and quality of the course. That we continue to attract high-profile tournaments is testament to the hard work of our team. We look forward to welcoming this years competitors and supporters."

Duncan Stewart won the 2018 qualifier, beating Conor O'Neil in a play-off after the pair carded matching four-under-par totals on a fast-running course. Peter Whiteford and Jamie McLeary secured the other two spots up for grabs.

“It is fantastic to have the opportunity to return to Longniddry for this Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open qualifying event,” said Rory Colville, Championship Director for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open. “The standard of golf on display at last year’s qualifier was superb and we are sure competition will be fierce this year.

“This is a great opportunity for up-and-coming Scottish golfers to test themselves against some of the best golfers in the world at The Renaissance Club.

“We are delighted to partner with Aberdeen Standard Investments, VisitScotland and EventScotland as we are able to showcase two great golf courses in East Lothian in the space of two weeks.”

Martin Gilbert, Co-CEO of Aberdeen Standard Investments, said: "As a long-standing supporter of Scottish golf we are once again really pleased to be able to offer four up-and-coming Scottish golfers the chance to play in the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open through this popular qualifying event at Longniddry Golf Club. We pride ourselves in supporting golf at all levels and this initiative really embodies this.

"A big thanks must also go to all those at the European Tour, VisitScotland and the PGA in Scotland for supporting this event which will undoubtedly be a huge success and will begin a fantastic stretch of golf in Scotland for fans to enjoy over the summer.”

Paul Bush, Director of Events at VisitScotland, added: “I am thrilled that through the support of our EventScotland team and other partners we are able to bring yet another great event to a fantastic venue in one of Scotland’s most renowned golfing regions. 

"Longniddry is an excellent example of the strength in depth of venues we have in Scotland, the Home of Golf and I’m sure it will once again prove a terrific host venue for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open Qualifier having been so warmly received by competitors last year.”

The criteria will be the exactly same as the first four years, with a field of 144 being made up of exempt PGA players plus other PGA members and assistant professionals that enter, assuming they have Scottish nationality under the PGA’s eligibility requirements or are currently employed at a golf club in Scotland.

A number of amateurs will again be nominated by Scottish Golf while some sponsor’s invitations will also be issued.