Scottish Open: Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood play

DARREN CLARKE, the 2011 Open champion, and former world No 1 Lee Westwood have become the latest big names to commit to the Scottish Open’s first visit to Royal Aberdeen.

England's Lee Westwood (left) plays a shot as Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke looks on during a practice session at the Dukes course, Fife. The pair have committed to the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen. Picture: PA

The duo, long-time friends and ISM stablemates, today joined defending champion Phil Mickelson, two-times major winner Rory McIlroy and FedEx Cup leader Jimmy Walker in the field for the Aberdeen Asset Management-sponsored event on 10-13 July.

“It is no secret that I love links golf,” said Clarke, who secured his Open Championship success at Sandwich three years ago the week after playing in the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

“So to have a new links course on the European Tour schedule is very exciting for me, and especially at an event with which I feel I have a real affinity.

“The Scottish golf fans are some of the most knowledgeable in the world, so it is always a pleasure to return to this event and I hope that I can give them something to shout about.”

Westwood did that in 1998 at Loch Lomond, though the event then was played under a different guise.

The Englishman will be making his first Scottish Open appearance for three years, having only played at Castle Stuart in 2011.

“I am really looking forward to returning to the Scottish Open,” said Westwood. “It is a course I have never played in competition, so it is going to be a new challenge, and I have heard great things about it.

“I think it will also be the perfect place to prepare for the Open Championship and that is one of the reasons why I have made the decision to return this year.”

•Special early bird discounts have been extended until Easter Sunday, April 20 to see Clarke, Westwood, Mickelson, McIlroy and a host of other world-class players in action at the 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. A season ticket can be purchased for £60 in advance of the tournament, a saving of £20 on admission at the gate. Adult day tickets are currently priced at £25, rising to £35 on the gate.

Concessions (60 and over) start at £40 for a season ticket and £15 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. Entrance to the Pro-Am on Wednesday is £8 in advance and £15 on the day.