Tour chief: Scottish Open will keep coveted pre-Open slot

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has quashed fears over the Scottish Open's prestigious pre-Open slot.

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley insists the Scottish Open will not be moved in the calendar. Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

It had been reported that the Irish Open, which has Rory McIlroy as its host and Dubai Duty Free behind it, was eyeing what has become the Scottish Open’s traditional spot on the schedule. There was even the suggestion that the events might alternate in the two weeks before the season’s third major.

However, the three partners behind the Scottish Open – the Tour, the Scottish Government and title sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management – insist there is “no prospect” of the dates of it changing in a current contract that runs to 2020.

“We are proud of our strong partnership with Aberdeen Asset Management and the Scottish Government and look forward to the Scottish Open continuing to be a firm fixture on the European Tour the week before The Open,” said Pelley in a statement.