Castle Stuart Golf Links to host Scottish Open in 2016

It has been confirmed that Castle Stuart Golf Links is set to host the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open for the fourth time in six years in 2016.

It has been confirmed that Castle Stuart Golf Links is set to host the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open for the fourth time in six years in 2016.

At the end of the four-day event, this year held at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, the European Tour and partners announced the prestigious competition will be played at Gullane Golf Club in 2015.

The following year it will be back to Castle Stuart, near Inverness, which hosted the event for three successive years from 2011-2013 when Luke Donald, Jeev Milkha Singh and Phil Mickelson were crowned champions.

General manager at Castle Stuart Golf Links, Stuart McColm, which opened just five years ago, said: “We are delighted that the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be making a swift return to Castle Stuart where its three-year run was greatly enjoyed by players and golfing fans.

“The competition brought out huge crowds to the course and was seen by an enormous audience across the world which enhanced the reputation of the Highlands of Scotland as a major golfing destination.”

The 2013 tournament at Castle Stuart broke new ground by being the first regular European Tour event to be shown live on a major United States TV broadcast network following a landmark agreement signed with NBC which complemented coverage on the Golf Channel.

Phil Mickelson’s play-off triumph reached a worldwide television audience of more than 500 million and generated exposure worth more than £53 million.

Mickelson went on to win The Open Championship the following week at Muirfield and said his fifth Major success was due to preparation at Castle Stuart.

He said: “Winning Castle Stuart at the time was a big win for me. Last week was special because I was playing so well. It gave me confidence heading into this week.

“It was exactly what I needed to propel me into this championship because I played well in that final day in difficult conditions.

“That gave me confidence I could play my best golf on links conditions.”

Since opening in 2009, Castle Stuart Golf Links has become internationally renowned among both amateur and professional players.

It was placed at No. 56 on Golf Magazine's Top 100 Courses in the World in 2013.

Justin Rose secured his victory at the Scottish Open this year on July 13.