Catriona Matthew ‘grateful’ for ASI Ladies Scottish Open invitation

Two-time winner set to take place in strong field at Renaissance Club

Former European Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew. Picture: Bruce White/SNS

Solheim Cup-winning captain Catriona Matthew is teeing up in next month’s Ladies Scottish Open in her native East Lothian – thanks to the first invitation she has needed in a long time.

The North Berwick woman is a two-time winner of the Aberdeen Standard Investments-sponsored event, which is taking place at The Renaissance Club on 13-16 August.

But she has had to rely on an invitation this time around due to fact she is not eligible through either the LPGA or Ladies European Tour.

“It’s been a while since I have needed an invite to get into an event, so I am really grateful to Aberdeen Standard Investments and VisitScotland,” said Matthew, the champion in 2011 and 2013 at Archerfield Links.

The event will mark the return of professional women’s golf to Scotland for the first time since Matthew led Europe to a dramatic Solheim Cup win at Gleneagles last September.

It will also signal the return of world-class sport to Scotland since Covid-19 restrictions started to be lifted.

“It’s been such a strange few months and it has definitely put golf into perspective,” added Matthew. “But, at the same time, I am starting to get pretty excited about getting out and competing again and also seeing everyone again and welcoming them back to Scotland from a socially-safe distance!”

With only four up for grabs, another invitation has been handed to Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, who lit up last year’s AIG Women’s British Open when winning at Woburn.

Known as the “Smiling Cinderella” in her homeland, she will be playing in Scotland for the first time:

“Last year’s experience at Woburn truly felt like I was part of a fairytale and now I am really looking forward to my next adventures in Scotland,” said Shibuno.

The field is set to be stronger than last year at the same venue, with three of the world’s top ten players – Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, American Danielle Kang and Australia’s Minjee Lee – among the confirmed entries. There are also 22 players ranked within the world’s top 50 in the line-up.

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