Rory McIlroy set for Scottish Open at Gullane

Rory McIlroy in action during the World Golf Championships in San Francisco. Picture: Getty

The 25 year old Northern Irishman will compete in the £3.25million tournament for the second season running after returning to the prestigious event for the first time since 2009 – a decision which paid dividends when he won The Open Championship the following week, claiming the third of his four major titles in stunning style at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

McIlroy has once again opted to hone his enviable links game in Scotland the week before heading around the Firth of Forth to St Andrews to defend the Claret Jug, and he joins a world-class field at Gullane from July 9-12.

The reigning Open and US PGA Champion is the fourth successive person to capture the Claret Jug the week after playing in the Scottish Open, following in the footsteps of Darren Clarke (2011), Ernie Els (2012) and Phil Mickelson (2013).

Defending champion Justin Rose, his fellow Englishman Luke Donald and Americans Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar are already confirmed, while home favourites Marc Warren and Stephen Gallacher, third and tied fourth respectively in 2014, will also tackle Gullane’s Championship course – a composite of No. 1 and No. 2.

“Adding the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open to my schedule in 2014 proved to be a great move, as it allowed me to get four competitive rounds of links golf under my belt a week before The Open,” said McIlroy, who led after round one at Royal Aberdeen thanks to a sublime seven under par 64 and eventually finished tied 14th, nine shots back from Rose.

“It is great to have that preparation, although it’s a fantastic event in its own right and played on some of the best links courses in the world.

“Last year I started really well and had two good rounds over the weekend, so if it wasn’t for a disappointing second round I would have been in contention to win. I’m keen to pick up where up I left off and hopefully lift the trophy on the Sunday afternoon.

“I know Gullane from my amateur days as it has hosted all the great Scottish amateur events, but I’m really looking forward to seeing the composite Championship course and testing my game on it against a very strong field.”

A season ticket for the 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open can be purchased for £70 in advance of the tournament, a saving of £10 on admission at the gate. Adult day tickets are currently priced at £30, rising to £35 on the gate.

Concessions (60 and over) start at £50 for a season ticket and £20 for any one day tickets, if purchased in advance. Under-16s accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge, and all car parking is also free. Entry to the Pro-Am on Wednesday is £12 in advance, and £15 on the day.

• To book tickets, visit www.europeantour.com/tickets or call 0800 023 2557.