MACINTYRE SET FOR DREAM DATE WITH FOWLER AND MCILROY AT ABERDEEN STANDARD INVESTMENTS SCOTTISH OPEN.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre will start the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open in the company of 2015 champion Rickie Fowler and four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy when the third Rolex Series event of the season gets under way from July 11-14.

The 22-year-old, who graduated from the European Challenge Tour last year, impressed with consecutive runner-up finishes at the Betfred British Masters and Made in Denmark presented by FREJA in May and now has his sights set on an exciting first appearance in his national Open at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick.

Defending champion Brandon Stone returns to East Lothian after his success last year at Gullane. The South African became the fourth player in European Tour history to card a winning final round of 60 as he won his third European Tour title.

Russell Knox, the highest-ranked Scot in the field this week, will go in search of his second Rolex Series title after his stunning victory at last year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open – Knox holed a 60-foot putt to force a play-off against Ryan Fox and then made an almost-identical putt on the first extra hole to win his second European Tour title.

Player Quotes

Robert MacIntyre: “I’ve got to be thrown in at the deep end at some point. It’s just about learning from this. It’s another step in the learning experience for me. In my first year, I’ve had quite a few already and this is going to be another one. It’s going to be another special week for me, and not just me, but my family. To be out with them in your first Scottish Open is pretty special.

“I’m sure the crowds are going to be unbelievable anyway. Home soil for the first time is going to be something different. Playing the Challenge Tour was good but to finally play a Scottish Open is something I’ll never forget.”

Brandon Stone: “The greens are quite severe. A lot of tricky sloping, it should prove a true test. If the wind picks up like it might, that typical Scottish links breeze, it might be a little bit more penal for the guys that are hitting it a bit more wayward but the course is in fantastic condition, it really is. The greens are great.

“They are having a lot of rain at the moment but at the same time the course is holding up quite well. It’s going to be a true test and you’ll have to play great golf and it’s going to be a great test before next week at Royal Portrush for The Open.

Russell Knox: “I actually thoroughly enjoyed slashing it on the range today in the rain. It’s been a while since I put on the rain suit and just hit balls on the range in the rain. I kind of wanted to practice a little bit today, even though it was pouring rain. But no, it’s amazing to be back. Always feel like I’m at home instantly when I touch back on Scottish soil.

“I sure hope one of these young guys turns out to be ten times the player I am. It would be great for Scotland. It’s been great – it’s been coming for a few years. It was obvious that there was going to be a next wave of great players, and it’s obviously here now. It’s great for Scottish golf, great for The European Tour, and hopefully this week, one of us will play well.