Stenson confirms for Scottish Open

Open Champion Henrik Stenson has confirmed that he will play this year's Scottish Open as a prelude to his Open title defence. 

The Scottish Open will take place at the Dundonald Links, Ayrshire from the 13th–16th July and speaking to the European Tour's official website he said: "I'm looking forward to coming back to Scotland and to playing at Dundonald, which is just down the road from Troon.

"Obviously it is going to make it a special week for me at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. It’s a tournament which has helped me prepare really well for The Open and I’m looking forward to the new venue at Dundonald.

"I played the Scottish Open in 2013 and went on to finish second to Phil in The Open the following week. Then I missed Scotland for a couple of years and didn’t do that well the following week.

"I played last year the week before Troon and we all know how that turned out, so playing in the Scottish Open definitely helps to fine tune the links game."

Last year Stenson and Phil Mickleson battled for the Open Championship with the Swede triumphing for his maiden major victory. 

What is not certain at the moment is whether or not Phil Mickelson will play the Scottish Open now that it has moved from Castle Stuart. It has been a regular fixture on his pre–Open calendar, and paved the way for his victory at Muirfield in 2013. 

But with the move of venue, he might not make it as he doesn't want to have to learn a new course.

Related:

Is this the last Scottish Open for Phil?