Inverness golfer Russell Knox has confirmed he will tee it up in this summer’s Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.
Knox is one of three players who secured maiden Rolex Series victories in 2018 that will be heading to the North Berwick course with defending champion Brandon Stone and Lee Westwood also adding the event to their schedule.
Knox, who added a Rolex Series win to his 2015 WGC-HSBC Champions crown when he completed the biggest comeback in the history of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, said: “It’s always a pleasure to play in front of your home crowd, the extra energy the Scottish fans give you is fantastic.
“The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open is always one of my favourite weeks of the year. After winning a WGC and a Rolex Series event, you could say that I thrive in those high-pressure situations, and I would love to replicate that in Scotland.”
South African Stone missed from seven feet on the 72nd hole for what would have been the first 59 in European Tour history at last year’s Scottish Open at Gullane on his way to victory.
He said: “The Sunday of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open was an incredible day and I’m looking forward to returning just a few miles along the coast to The Renaissance Club to defend my title.
“I holed some beautiful putts. It would have been great to sink that one on the last for a bit of history, but no matter what I was very proud to get my hands on that prestigious trophy and seal my first Rolex Series win. “I can’t wait to start my defence in July.”
Former world number one Westwood produced a stunning closing round of 64 to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player, sealing his first victory since the Maybank Championship in Malaysia four years earlier.
He said: “I always enjoy coming back to Scotland. It’s a tournament that I’ve won before and right now the game feels like it’s in a good place so I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s no secret that I was a bit emotional after the win in South Africa. You’re never sure whether you’re going to be able to do it again, and I’m pleased to have continued that form into the 2019 season.”
The Scottish Open takes place at The Renaissance Club from July 8-14.