US Ryder Cup trio added to Scottish Open field

Next week's Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open has been handed another massive boost with the addition of three US Ryder Cup player to the field at Castle Stuart.

Patrick Reed played in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. Picture: Jane Barlow

JB Holmes, Patrick Reed and Steve Stricker have all accepted invitations for the £3.25 million event on the outskirts of Inverness, where they will be joining a star-studded cast headed by compatriot Phil Mickelson.

“I can’t wait to get to Castle Stuart and make my Scottish Open debut,” said Reed, who played in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and finished 16th in last season’s Race to Dubai.

“It’s a tournament and a course I’ve heard a lot about, and it will be a great opportunity for me to fine-tune my game ahead of the Open at Troon.”

Reed, who finished in a share of 20th in last year’s Open Championship at St Andrews, added: “I got a really nice reception from the Scottish fans at St Andrews last year, and I feel like I have a special relationship with them now after the fun of the Ryder Cup (when he playfully put his finger to his mouth to silence the home cheers).

“They’re very respectful and knowledgeable, so I’m looking forward to a great week in the Home of Golf.”

Stricker, a three-time Ryder Cup player and vice captain to David Love III for this year’s event at Hazeltine, will be making just his second appearance at the Scottish Open. The 12-time winner on the PGA Tour finished in a share of 19th place at Carnoustie.

Like Reed, world No 21 Holmes, part of the USA’s last winning Ryder Cup team, will me be making his fiest Scottish Open appearance.

Also flying the Stars and Stripes at Castle Stuart will be Jamie Lovemark, who played alongside Rickie Fowler and Billy Horschel when the US were beaten to the 2008 Eisenhower Trophy by Scotland in Melbourne.