Scottish Open to be pilot event for return of fans

Golf fans will be able to return to the action when the Scottish Open kicks off in October.

A limited number of spectators will be in attendance for the tournament in East Lothian which has been chosen as a test event for the European Tour.

All revenue from tickets sold will be donated to SAMH, the open’s official charity partner.

The event has been moved from its usual July date and will take place from October 1 unto October 4 at The Renaissance Club.

An addition to players, venue staff, media and essential personnel, there will be 650 spectators permitted per day on the Saturday and Sunday.

The fans will be limited to daily general access ticket holders from Edinburgh and the Lothians.

All previous ticket purchasers have been contacted to advise that their tickets will be automatically refunded, with those from Edinburgh and the Lothians given priority access to repurchase the limited number of tickets available.

Scottish Open Championship director, Rory Colville, said: “We are very pleased to be able to welcome weekend spectators to the Renaissance Club this year, while abiding strictly by the European Tour health strategy and Scottish Government guidelines.

“While the numbers on site will be strictly limited to continue to minimise risk we will be able to offer Scottish golf fans the opportunity to watch their national open, which we and our valued partners at Aberdeen Standard Investments and the Scottish Government felt was important, if we were able to do so in a safe and controlled manner.

“It’s also gives us a great opportunity to tee off our partnership with Official Charity SAMH.”

The Scottish Government’s culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “I am pleased that the Scottish Open will take place in front of a limited number of spectators – a significant milestone for events in Scotland.”

The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open will be the second Rolex Series event on the reshaped 2020 Race to Dubai.