Mickelson set for Castle Stuart hat-trick at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open

• Star welcomes opportunity to play world class field on links course
• Says "it should almost be a prerequisite to play Castle Stuart before you're allowed to design golf courses nowadays.”
• Praises Castle Stuart designers Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse

Phil Mickelson has confirmed he will return to Castle Stuart Golf Links to complete in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open from July 11-14.

The four-time Major Champion has become something of an adopted Scot over the past decade, playing in eight of the last ten editions of Scotland’s national open. His return to Inverness and the Home of Golf in the summer will see the 42 year old complete a hat-trick of appearances at Castle Stuart before the tournament moves to Royal Aberdeen Golf Club next year.

One of the most popular players of the modern era, Mickelson’s crowd-drawing presence at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will carry even more significance this year, following the announcement that the tournament will become the first regular European Tour event outside the Majors and World Golf Championships to be shown live on a major United States TV broadcast network.

The ground-breaking agreement with NBC will complement the existing coverage of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open on the Golf Channel as Mickelson, a huge admirer of Castle Stuart, looks to win for the first time on British soil.

“It’s always a real pleasure for me to add the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open to my schedule,” said Mickelson, who came within a sudden-death play-off of victory in the event in 2007.

“Playing Castle Stuart gives me a great opportunity to be competitive against a world class field on a links course the week before The British Open. Beyond that, Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse did a wonderful job on the course.

“As golf course architects, those guys recognise that golf is not about hitting the ball longer and harder; it's about fun, creativity, memorable shots and holes that don’t have to beat you up all the time. It should almost be a prerequisite to play Castle Stuart before you're allowed to design golf courses nowadays.”

A season ticket to see Mickelson and many of The European Tour’s biggest stars at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open can be bought for £70 in advance of the tournament, a saving of £10 on admission at the gate. Adult day tickets are currently priced at £30, rising to £35 on the gate.

Concessions (60 and over) start at £50 for a season ticket and £20 for any one day tickets if purchased in advance. Under-16s accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge and all car parking is also free. Entrance to the Pro-Am on Wednesday is £12 in advance and £15 on the day.

Reserved grandstand seating can also be purchased immediately for the Saturday (£10) and the Sunday (£15) of the event. Hospitality packages are also available.

Full ticket information can be found at: www.aamscottishopen.com or www.europeantour.com/tickets or telephone Ticket Hotline: +440800 023 2557. Postal enquiries should be sent to: European Tour Tickets, Mirren Court Three, 123 Renfrew Court Three, Paisley, PA3 4EA.

About Aberdeen Asset Management:
Aberdeen Asset Management is a pure asset management group and is one of the largest publicly-quoted investment managers listed in the UK. It invests worldwide as a traditional, fundamental investor on behalf of institutional clients, advisers and individuals globally across all major asset classes. The group has assets under management of £193.4 billion (as at 31 December 2012). It was established via a management buyout in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland in 1983 and today operates in 23 countries around the world, employing over 2,000 staff. Aberdeen champions first-hand research and believes close teamwork is the best means to discover the best investments for clients' portfolios. Aberdeen participates in sponsorships where it can get actively involved and make a difference to an event, individual or team. Aberdeen’s current sport sponsorship portfolio includes properties across golf, sailing, rugby, hockey and rowing. The group is also involved with a number of cultural and arts sponsorships. For more information visit: http://www.aberdeenasset.com/aam.nsf/aboutus/sponsorship.
 
Scotland, the Home of Golf:
The Scottish Government has committed to provide support to the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, securing the event for 2012, 2013 and 2014. The funding also supports Scotland’s commitment to staging major golf tournaments as the Host Nation of The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Delivered by organisations including EventScotland, VisitScotland, Scottish Development International and Scottish Golf, the Scottish Government is committed to enhancing Scotland’s reputation as the Home of Golf. This includes; supporting economic and business growth within the Scottish economy, driving increased participation in the sport and helping to nurture the next generation of Scottish golfing stars by linking the Scottish Open to the Clubgolf programme of junior golf activities.

For more information on the Scottish Government and its partners: www.scotland.org | www.eventscotland.org | www.visitscotland.com | www.scotent.co.uk | www.sdi.co.uk | www.scottishgolf.org | www.clubgolfscotland.com 

Castle Stuart Golf Links:
Castle Stuart Golf Links officially opened to worldwide acclaim on the 13th of July 2009. Situated near Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland this 18 hole Links layout was the brainchild of Mark Parsinen, who’s first Scottish Links Course was Kingsbarns Golf Links near St Andrews in Fife. Castle Stuart was co-designed by Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse and was recently voted as the 56th best golf course in the world by the American publication, Golf Magazine, debuting as the highest new entry.  Castle Stuart is a visitor only golf course with no members, offering stunning views from every hole which typically have wide fairways, natural bunkering and intricate green complexes.
For further information then email – info@castlestuartgolf.com or visit www.castlestuartgolf.com Tel:  01463 796111

The European Tour:
The European Tour is committed to celebrating the game of golf from the origins of the professional game, building a proud history of achievement, sportsmanship and integrity as well as showcasing our diverse global talent and rich landscapes. The European Tour's innovative approach enables us to embrace the world, combining championships of tradition with new tournaments in the cities and countries of the future. The European Tour International Schedule, which from 2009 has incorporated The Race to Dubai, is a thriving global brand which, in 2013, will feature a minimum of 45 tournaments spread across all five continents of the world; the European Challenge Tour focuses on the up and coming players of the future; while the European Senior Tour provides a new start for champions celebrating their 50th birthday. The European Tour’s corporate identity features the iconic silhouette image of six-time Open Champion Harry Vardon who gives his name to The Harry Vardon Trophy, presented to the player who is crowned European Tour Number One and winner of The Race to Dubai at the end of the season.


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