TOP golfers from throughout the world will tee off at The Renaissance Club tomorrow (Thursday) morning.
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open takes place over four days at the prestigious course for the second year in a row.
Defending champion Bernd Wiesberger is among those playing in the competition, which will be held behind closed doors due to coronavirus restrictions.
The Austrian will be joined by stars of the game, including Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Martin Kaymer.
Ahead of the tournament, the reigning champion said: “It was obviously a memorable week for me [last year].
“It’s going to stick with me for a long time.
“I had a lovely week here last year.
“Not only from the golf side but in general, I love coming to Scotland and playing tournament golf up here in various sorts of conditions whether it be links courses or green land, parkland courses.”
The 34-year-old tees off at 12.38pm alongside Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre and England’s Tommy Fleetwood.
Following them are 2018 champion Brandon Stone, Andy Sullivan and former Dunbar Grammar School pupil David Drysdale.
Last year, the tournament took place in July but coronavirus restrictions saw this year’s event pushed back.
Wiesberger felt the change in weather could make for a different tournament.
He said: “Obviously, the main difference is the time of the year.
“Obviously, it's cold, four layers, the wind has picked up and it is pretty cold.
“We can expect a lot cooler conditions than last year in the summer and wetter.
“We had perfect conditions in 2019, which then obviously led to very low scoring.
“It seemed like everyone around here at Renaissance had intentions to protect the golf course a little bit against low scoring."
Neil Fenwick, attached to Dunbar Golf Club, is among the last of those setting out early tomorrow morning.
He tees off alongside South Africa’s Thomas Aiken and Sean Crocker, from the USA, at 9.25am from tee 10.
Grant Forrest, originally from North Berwick but now living in Haddington, is also in action and tees off from the first hole at 12.16pm.
He is playing alongside Renato Paratore and Graeme McDowell.
No fans will be at the Scottish Open but the action can be watched live on Sky Sports.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here