Golf: Praise for Scots Open

SOLHEIM CUP star Trish Johnson has heaped praise on both the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open and Archerfield Links, its home for the last three years.

But she feels the event could become massive on the Ladies European Tour schedule if it was moved to the middle of the summer with a bigger prize pot. “It is a magnificent event and (the Fidra Links) is one of the best layouts we play,” said the veteran English player, who tied for fourth. “But, if it was held in June or July with a prize fund of ¤500,000 instead of ¤200,000, it would be fantastic.”

Last year and the year before, the event was held in August but clashed on both occasions with the Scottish Seniors Open at St Andrews. That, coupled with the Olympics in London, was part of the reason it was moved to an early-season slot this year. In terms of the strength of the field, that appeared to pay dividends with former world No. 1 Laura Davies and US-based Scottish star Janice Moodie among the new additions.

But, with frost still a threat, it meant the greens were a bit slower than they are in the height of the season. It is believed that both the LET and Archerfield are keen to see it restored to a later slot next year.

Carly Booth, 19, from Comrie, won the event while North Berwick’s Catriona Matthew tied for 20th, just ahead of Musselburgh’s Vikki Laing.