Stars gather for inaugural Scottish Championship

Former World Number One Lee Westwood will be among the field for the inaugural Scottish Championship presented by AXA, along with a strong contingent of home grown players including the most recent  Scottish winner on the European Tour, Marc Warren, fellow winners David Law, Scott Jamieson and Richie Ramsay, former Ryder Cup player Stephen Gallacher and the 2019 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, Robert MacIntyre.

A host of Westwood’s fellow Rolex Series champions will be in the field at Fairmont St Andrews on October 15-18, including newly crowned Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open winner Aaron Rai, and the 2018 winner of Scotland’s national open, South African Brandon Stone.
Current Ryder Cup Captain and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington will also tee it up on the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrew alongside a host of European Tour winners, including Italy’s Renato Paratore, Australian Min Woo Lee, England’s Eddie Pepperell and Matt Wallace, and their compatriot Sam Horsfield – a two-time winner on the 2020 Race to Dubai.
Warren, who won his fourth European Tour title at the Austrian Open in July, and recorded his best Rolex Series finish with fourth place at his home open two weeks ago, said: “To have two tournaments in three weeks in Scotland is great, and I always enjoy going to St Andrews. I’ve stayed at Fairmont St Andrews a few times and played The Open Qualifying a couple of years ago on the Torrance Course. It’s a great layout, tough if the wind gets up. It will be a good test, especially at this time of year.
“Everyone behind the scenes is working so hard to get events on. We feel really safe playing and hopefully we can continue to produce some good golf up in St Andrews and give people at home some enjoyment as well.”

The inaugural Scottish Championship presented by AXA rounds off a second UK Swing on the 2020 Race to Dubai, following the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Northern Ireland (September 24-27), the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club (October 1-4) and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth (October 8-11).
John Keating, Area General Manager Accor Luxury Brands Scotland and Ireland, added: “We would like to welcome back those who have played in St Andrews before, and extend a warm welcome to those whose first time it is playing on the Torrance Course. There is a great mix of experience and rising talent so it is shaping up to be a very competitive week ahead.  We wish every player the best of luck.”
The Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews has previously hosted events including the Scottish Youth National Championship, the Scottish Senior Open and is one of The Open Qualifying sites. The venue boasts two world class golf courses and has iconic views overlooking the historic ‘Home of Golf’ and St Andrews Bay.