Tiger Woods not playing Scottish Open

• Former world No.1 will miss event at Gullane 
• Championship director hints he may play next year
• “We are talking to all the time

Tiger Woods will not be playing in this year’s Scottish Open at Gullane – although there is a chance that could change next year.

Hopes that the 14-time major winner might contest the tournament for the first time in 19 years were raised earlier this week when he said he planned to play more golf this summer in a bid to improve his form and world ranking.

However, speaking to the media at Gullane yesterday, championship director Peter Adams said that the former world No.1 – now No.181 – would not be joining the all-star cast that is set to assemble in East Lothian.

“We have had some discussions with Tiger’s representatives,” said Adams. “In fact, I sat next to his agent, Mark Steinberg, at the European Tour dinner last month and he did tell me at that time that Tiger is planning to play much more golf but, unfortunately, the Scottish Open is not in his plans for this year.

“Maybe in one year that will change but it won’t be this year.” – Peter Adams, Scottish Open championship director

“However, we are talking to them all the time and maybe in one year that will change but it won’t be this year.”

Woods’ has only ever played in the Scottish Open twice before, both times as an amateur. He made his debut at Carnoustie in 1995, posting rounds of 69, 71, 75 and 78 to finish in a tie for 47th. He then returned to the Angus links a year later but missed the cut after rounds of 81 and 75. A month later, he turned professional.

bunkered.co.uk understands that he has a pre-agreed commitment to one of his sponsors which clashes with the Scottish Open.

CONTINUES BELOW…

Meanwhile, Adams also cooled speculation that Trump International Golf Links near Aberdeen is in the frame to stage the Scottish Open from 2017.

Reports in the media earlier this week suggested that the Balmedie course, pictured above, is in line to host the event in 2017 and then back-to-back in 2019 and 2020. However, Adams insisted that no decision has been made on future host venues for the championship beyond next year’s return to Castle Stuart.

“The situation, as I think you would expect, is that we are talking to a number of different golf clubs,” he said. “Trump International is one of the clubs we are talking to but it is a club amongst a number of clubs. We haven’t come to a firm decision yet but, when we do, we will make an announcement at that time. At the moment, no firm decision has been made.”

Tiger Woods :: Is he still a big box office draw?

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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor