Marc Warren hoping for Scottish Open status quo with sponsor and course

Marc Warren is hoping for a Scottish Open status quo across the board from ongoing talks about the event's future.

Marc Warren plays his second shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

The latest contract between title sponsor Aberdeen Standard Investments, the Scottish Government and the European Tour ended with last week's second successive staging at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian.

Talks about a new deal for the Rolex Series event are ongoing under a partnership that started in 2012 at Castle Stuart and has helped the event go from strength to strength.

“Hopefully, Aberdeen Standard can continue their support," said Warren, speaking after he finished as the leading home player in joint-fourth behind England's Aaron Rai on Sunday. "The event has grown so much since they have taken over and, normally, it’s in a great place in the schedule.

“Obviously, it was tougher this year with no crowds, but it’s such a big event that's getting bigger and better and I’d love to see that continue."

After being moved around the country for a spell, the tournament has now been held three years in a row in East Lothian, with a 2018 visit to Gullane being followed by back-to-back events at The Renaissance Club.

After criticism of it being "too easy" last year, the Tom Doak-designed course proved a better all-round test this time around and Warren sees no reason why the event shouldn't stay there.

“The owners at The Renaissance are willing to do everything and anything," said the four-time European Tour winner. "If the European Tour wants them to do something, they’ll do it to the standard they are seeking.

“They’ve been unlucky with weather for the past two years. The course on Monday and Tuesday last was absolutely perfect. A good test, greens firm and fast.

"You couldn't have asked for anything more out of links golf and then to get the amount of rain we had Wednesday night, Thursday morning and then Saturday makes it softer on Sunday.

“Hopefully, it continues to be at The Renaissance and that Aberdeen Standard Investments continue their support as well.”

Warren jumped 61 spots to 38th in the Race to Dubai on the back of his strong finish on Sunday and is hoping for another big performance in this week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

“I struggled a wee bit with a bit of a hamstring injury during most of the UK swing and didn’t do myself justice, but I felt better at The Renaissance and the result was good," he said.

“Wentworth is a course where I have done well in the past and it’s another massive event for us. It’s a long tough golf course at the best of the days, so I can take the positives from the Scottish Open knowing my game is in good shape.

“When you play well, you get the buzz of being in contention and you want it again. You want it the next week.

“Last week was such a good one for me. Playing so many different weather conditions just shows every department of your game is in good shape. I felt comfortable down the stretch."

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