Castle Stuart encouraged by strong field
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
"I think it will be important to get some valuable links experience before I play in The Open at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s and I am really looking forward to seeing the course and getting the opportunity to see a bit of Scotland at the same time."
"I’ve heard some great reports about Castle Stuart from some of my fellow PGA Tour Players who played there last year," said Watney.
Back in 2009, he was in attendance at the tournament’s previous home at Loch Lomond where he finished tied for sixth place, four shots behind eventual winner Martin Kaymer.
It will not, however, be Watney’s first visit to the Scottish Open tournament itself.
This year, Watney (31) has managed top 10 finishes at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and Wells Fargo Championship, but when he pitches up at Castle Stuart between 12-15th July he will be aiming for his maiden success on European soil.
The world number 27 then went on to capture the AT and T National trophy — his fourth career US PGA Tour win — and this was enough to clinch his place on his first United States Presidents Cup team.
Watney came to prominence last year when he finished two shots clear of fellow countryman Dustin Johnson to win the WGC-Cadillac Championship title at Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami.
"It’s great news that he’ll be coming and it is another welcome addition to what is already a strong field."
"It was interesting to hear Nick Watney saying that he’s spoken to colleagues on the US PGA Tour about the Scottish Open and that he wants to get in some work on a links the week before the Open.
"I feel that we’ve got a great flavour in terms of the international players that will be coming over.
"It’s going to be great to see a few new faces as I think it keeps it fresh, especially for the spectators.
"It might be the case that it’s even marginally better, but that remains to be determined as there are always late entries.
"You never want to get too far ahead of yourself, but I think the field for this year’s Scottish Open is shaping up to be of similar quality to last year," said McColm, general manager at Castle Stuart.
The announcement that Watney wants to play the Scottish Open is another significant boost for Castle Stuart, who hope that other notable names will follow suit once the US Open is concluded in San Francisco, California on Sunday.
He joins 2010 Open winner Louis Oosthuizen in agreeing to play the links course with the tournament also set to feature world number one and reigning champion Luke Donald, three-time major champion Padraig Harrington and top Scottish golfers Paul Lawrie and Martin Laird.
American Nick Watney, a rising star of world golf, is the latest name to be confirmed for what is shaping up to be another star-studded for the event at Castle Stuart.
STUART McColm is confident the calibre of the field at next month’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be just as strong, if not better, than it was last year.
