Scottish Open qualifier enhances Tartan Tour

A Scottish summer of golf has been enhanced with the launch of a new tournament – the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Qualifier.

The exciting new event, which will be part of the PGA in Scotland’s Tartan Tour schedule, will carry a £50,000 prize fund and offer five spots in the AAM Scottish Open at Gullane on July 9-12.

The 36-hole pre-qualifier in association with Visit Scotland, The European Tour and The PGA, will have a field of 144 entrants and is being staged at the championship links course at North Berwick on July 4-5.

The tournament is sure to whet the appetite of the players, who must have some direct links to Scotland through work or birth, given the rare opportunity to compete at the AAM Scottish Open, which itself offers three prized spots at this year’s Open Championship at St Andrews – creating a new pathway to the world’s oldest major.

Sandy Jones, chief executive of the PGA said: “This event is a superb addition to the Tartan Tour.

“Our leading players will relish the opportunity to compete for a place in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, one of the premier events on the European Tour.”

Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “Here at Aberdeen we are very proud of our Scottish roots and so we aim to support Scottish golf at all levels of the game.

“We are thrilled to be giving promising Scottish golfers the opportunity to play in their own Scottish Open through this qualifier. What a story it would be if a Scottish player went onto to win The Open at St Andrews having qualified through North Berwick and then Gullane!”

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “I’m delighted that this unique event will give more Scottish golfers the opportunity to qualify for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open as well as the dream of ultimately qualifying for The Open.

“Golf in Scotland is known for being open and accessible and the Scottish Open qualifier is a fine example of opening up one of the world’s leading golf tournaments to even more players.

“It also gives us a chance to showcase North Berwick, yet another terrific links golf course for which Scotland, the Home of Golf, is renowned across the globe.”

George O’Grady, Chief Executive, European Tour commented: “We would like to congratulate Aberdeen Asset Management, the Scottish Government and VisitScotland for their vision and commitment to create this new qualifying tournament for aspirational Scottish Professionals and Amateurs.  

“Furthermore I would like to thank Sandy Jones, Hamish Grey and North Berwick Golf Club for embracing this new tournament initiative, which we hope will be well-received by golf fans across Scotland.”