Clarke reaches milestone at this year's Scottish Open
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FORMER Open champion Darren Clarke insists the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart will be ideal preparation ahead of the Open at Muirfield.
The Northern Irishman will clock up a 20th appearance at the tournament, which takes place from 11-14th July, as he looks to repeat his feat of two years ago when he played the links course in the Highland Capital before going on to clinch an amazing victory at Royal St George's where he lifted the coveted Claret Jug.
Now Clarke, a winner of 14 titles on The European Tour in a professional career spanning more than two decades, returns to Inverness for the Scottish Open knowing that the stunning links course, which hosts the event for the final time of a three-year run before it moves to Royal Aberdeen next year, provides the perfect stage from which to launch another Open Championship challenge.
Two years ago, the five-time Ryder Cup player from Portrush produced rounds of 69, 67 and 75 to finish down the field in the rain-shortened event at Castle Stuart, but the opportunity to re-acquaint himself with the eccentricities of links golf was a powerful launch pad for the following week in Kent.
"I am looking forward enormously to getting back to Castle Stuart," said Clarke.
"I grew up on links courses in Northern Ireland and have always had a special affinity with that style of golf.
"Of course, it eventually paid off when I finally won the Open at Royal St George's two years ago.
"It was a moment I will never forget, but I also appreciate the importance of playing the previous week at Castle Stuart.
"It's the ideal way to prepare for Muirfield this year, but I would love nothing better than to head into the Open with the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open title under my belt.
"I've been very close in the past, as my record proves, and I have always enjoyed playing in the event down the years.
"There is always a high quality field and it's just the sort of intense competition I need to get into the right physical and mental shape to tackle the Open."
Clarke, who made his Scottish Open debut at Gleneagles in 1992, has come close to winning the title on several occasions, most notably in 2003, 2005 and 2010 when only one player finished ahead of him each time.
Seven times in the top ten, Clarke was tied second in 2003 behind Ernie Els and occupied the same position two years later, when Tim Clark captured the title.
In 2010 he finished runner-up on his own, three shots behind the champion Edoardo Molinari, who also returns to Scotland for this year's championship with his eye on a second crown.
Former Open champions Padraig Harrington and Paul Lawrie will join Clarke at Castle Stuart, as will last year's Scottish Open winner Jeev Milkha Singh, new BMW PGA champion Matteo Manassero and four-time major winner Phil Mickelson.
* Full ticket information for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open can be found at www.aamscottishopen.com, www.europeantour.com/tickets or telephone the ticket hotline on 0800 023 2557.
Postal enquiries should be sent to: European Tour Tickets, Mirren Court Three, 123 Renfrew Court Three, Paisley, PA3 4EA.
