Eddie Pepperell would love to bag one of the four Open championship spots on offer at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
The 25-year-old from Oxfordshire made his maiden appearance at the world’s oldest major at St Andrews last summer after qualifying at the Irish Open.
Pepperell finished in a three-man play-off with eventual winner Soren Kjeldsen and Bernd Wiesberger at Royal County Down and, although he failed to close out the victory, a place at the Open at St Andrews was his consolation prize.
The Scottish Open at Castle Stuart will be the final chance for players without a place in the Open to grab a spot at Royal Troon.
Four places will be on offer for those who finish in the top 12 and ties and who are not already exempt.
Pepperell, who finished tied 49th at St Andrews last year, said: “I got into the Open through the Irish Open last year and I might need something similar this year.
“It is a great idea for the tournament to have those spots for the Open on offer.
“It would be great to qualify and spend two weeks in Scotland.
“I feel like my game has been improving and finishing tied-eighth at the Irish Open made me feel like it was heading in the right direction. I didn’t play very well at the start of the year but every aspect of my game is starting to get a little bit better.
“I just need to keep doing what I’m doing. I have to focus on making as many birdies as I can and the rounds will take care of themselves.”
Pepperell finished tied fourth at the Scottish Open last year, finishing only two shots behind winner Rickie Fowler.
After his near-miss at the Irish Open, it was his second best performance of the season and Pepperell is hoping for another strong showing in Inverness.
He added: “Gullane was an important week for me. It was a great event on a nice course that suited my game.
“I’m pleased it is going back to Castle Stuart as I played there on my rookie season in 2013 and finished tied 12th.
“It is another great course and scoreable if the weather is fair.
“It is a wide links so it was quite enjoyable to play.
“I don’t feel like there is a whole lot of stress going on so I’m looking forward to going back.”