Strong field assembles for Castle Stuart

Highlands-bound: The Scottish Open is taking place this week at Castle Stuart Golf Links, near Inverness

Strong field assembles for Castle Stuart

Some of the world’s top golfers are en route to the Highlands as Castle Stuart Golf Links, near Inverness, prepares to stage the Scottish Open for the third time this week.

A star-studded field is headlined by four-time major winner and current world No.6 Phil Mickelson as well as reigning Open champion Ernie Els. The BMW PGA champion Matteo Manassero will also be taking part, as will the likes of Branden Grace, Nicolas Colsaerts, Thorbjorn Olesen, Paul Casey and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Former Open champions Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington will also be in the field, as will no fewer than 16 Scots, all of whom will be out to try and become only the second home-based winner of the championship.

The man they all have to beat is defending champion Jeev Milkha Singh, who won the title in dramatic scenes last year, defeating Italy’s Francesco Molinari in a play-off.

One man not in the field this year, however, will be Colin Montgomerie. The Scot is playing in the US Senior Open this week instead.

This will be the tournament’s final year – for now – at Castle Stuart. It moved there in 2011 after a lengthy stay at Loch Lomond but will move next year to Royal Aberdeen as rumours continue to abound that the championship will move around Scotland on a rotation over the next few years.

A season ticket can still be bought 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.

Entrance to the Pro-Am on Wednesday is £12 in advance and £15 on the day.

Reserved grandstand seating can also be purchased immediately for the Saturday (£10) and the Sunday (£15) of the event. Hospitality packages are also available.

For more information, or to purchase your tickets, click here.

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