Teen Star Ko Set For Date At Dundonald

Biggest star in women’s game signs up for the Ladies Scottish Open this July

With the free entry to the public all week, the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links might just be the best value golf event in Europe - and that’s largely thanks to the help of teen golf star Lydia Ko.

Ko, 18, is the biggest star in ladies golf and recently agreed to peg it up at Dundonald Links on July 24-26. The New Zealander joins a stellar field that includes Suzann Pettersen, Charley Hull and US sensation Cheyenne Woods, niece of Tiger Woods.

“I’ve heard great things about the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open so I’m extremely excited to be playing in it,” said Ko, who recently missed her first cut in 67 events as a pro to lose her world No.1 status to Inbee Park.

“Scotland is of course the home of golf and somewhere I would like to play more often. To play Dundonald Links ahead of the Ricoh Women’s British Open will be a great fortnight of golf and I can’t wait to play in front of all the Scottish fans.”

Ko refreshingly added that, as one of the world’s top players, it was “important for me to play on the international circuit amongst the world’s best players and on the world’s best courses”.

INTERESTING

She said: “Links golf always makes things more interesting and with the field being assembled for the Ladies Scottish Open it will be a tough test, but I’m looking forward to it and acclimatising to links golf ahead of Turnberry the following week.”

Bill Donald, General Manager of Loch Lomond Golf Club and Dundonald Links, said the news that Ko was in the field was a “superb endorsement for the event and of course we at Dundonald Links are delighted that Lydia joins what is already an exceptional play list.”

The event now occupies a prime spot on the Ladies European Tour calendar, sitting just one week ahead of the Women’s British Open and offers an increased prize fund of Ä500,000. The event’s unique pro-am format sees 80 amateurs and celebrities tee it up alongside a limited field of 80 of the top female golfers in the world. The 54-hole tournament is played over three days and is the only annual professional Ladies European Tour event in Scotland.

Alison Hunter, the marketing manager at Dundonald Links, told Scottish Club Golfer the club has been working with local schools to increase the number of kids that can attend the tournament.

“There’s a lot happening at the tournament and we are very excited about the week. We have kids zones set-up and are trying to encourage as many families to come along to watch the golf and get involved.

“We have known for a weeks that Lydia might be adding the event to her schedule but to know that she has confirmed is tremendous news for the tournament and for Dundonald Links. We are absolutely thrilled.”

As well as Ko, Pettersen and Woods, Scottish stars Catriona Matthew, Kylie Walker, Carly Booth, Kelsey MacDonald, Pamela Pretswell, Vikki Laing and Sally Watson will also be involved at Dundonald Links. Entry is free.

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