Fantasy Golf: Scottish Open preview

TG’s Fantasy Golf game stays on the European Tour this week for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. After being held at Castle Stuart since 2011, the tournament has switched as the start of a rota to move the event around Scotland. 

Founded in 1780, Royal Aberdeen is the sixth oldest club in the world and it has been the venue for some big events over the years, including the 2005 Senior British Open and the 2011 Walker Cup, which was won by GB&I but featured some star name Americans including Jordan Spieth, Russell Henley and Harris English. 

The course will be much tighter off the tee than Castle Stuart and feature many pot bunkers resulting in a chip out sideways if found. Those that keep the ball in play off the tee will have the strongest advantage this week. 

Here’s TG’s six-man team for the Scottish Open: 

Justin Rose £4.5m – Fresh off his play-off victory at the Quicken Loans National Championship, which was preceded by a T-12 finish at the US Open, Rose will look to show some form before the year’s third major, one where his record is average at best. 

Ian Poulter £3m – Poults has made his last six cuts, including two top-six finishes. Despite residing across the pond he’s a lover of links golf, finishing inside the top ten at the last two Open Championships. 

Stephen Gallacher £1.6m – Has a win under his belt this year in Dubai and showed signs he was back to his best last week in France before fading to a T-18 finish. Buoyed by his home crowd, Gallacher will be looking to boost his Ryder Cup qualification with a strong finish here. 

Rickie Fowler £1.8m – The American hasn’t played since his T-2 finish at the US Open but as well as showing good recent form, he can get it round on links courses too – he finished T-5 in the 2011 Open Championship at Royal St George’s. 

Jamie Donaldson £1.8m – Donaldson is almost assured of a Ryder Cup debut in September and his form backs this up, finishing T-5 in his last two starts. He also won the Irish Open when it was held at Royal Portrush in 2012. 

Michael Hoey £0.7m – The former Alfred Dunhill Links Champion has two top tens in his last three starts. He offers good value in a week where many high-priced players are teeing it up.

Update your Fantasy Golf team now!