THE Barclays Scottish Open has a knack of identifying talented champions thanks to the enduring challenge posed by Tom Weiskopf's outstanding lay-out at Loch Lomond. As yet, however, no golfer has mounted a successful defence of the title. It's an anomaly Graeme McDowell hopes to correct this summer.
"I can't wait to get back to Loch Lomond again this year," said the Ryder Cup player. "Winning the Scottish Open was a fantastic moment in my life that elevated my career to a whole new level.
"It's such a great week and to return as defending ch
ampion is a real buzz."
The 29-year-old knows Ernie Els can look back on two victories over the bonnie banks, but not in successive years. It's a course where knowledge is an asset and past champions invariably contend for the title.
The Ulsterman is one of ten former champions who will tee up at Loch Lomond from July 9-12. They include Thomas Bjorn, who won the title in 1996 – the year the tournament took up permanent residence at Loch Lomond – Lee Westwood (1998), Colin Montgomerie (1999), Els (2000 and 2003), Retief Goosen (2001), Thomas Levet (2004), Tim Clark (2005), Johan Edfors (2006) and Gregory Havret (2007).
According to Bjorn, Loch Lomond is one of the venues which means the most to him on Tour. "The Scottish Open will always be a very special event for me as it was at Loch Lomond where I won my first European Tour title," he recalled. "It was only my rookie year after qualifying through the Challenge Tour. I enjoy the beautiful surroundings that Loch Lomond offers and the memories it holds."
Meanwhile, the Seve Trophy has found a new sponsor which will ensure continuation of the biennial team match between Great Britain and Ireland and Continental Europe. Vivendi, a French communications and entertainment company, has signed a four-year agreement to sponsor the Vivendi Trophy with Severiano Ballesteros and the Vivendi Celebrity Trophy, a pro-am stroke-play tournament, in alternate years. Ballesteros is currently recuperating from brain surgery.
The 2009 Vivendi Trophy with Severiano Ballesteros will see Bjorn captain Continental Europe and Paul McGinley lead GB&I at Saint-Nom-la-Breteche, Paris, in September. Both men are regarded as future Ryder Cup captains.
Europe's Ryder Cup captain at Celtic Manor, Montgomerie, added: "Seve has been such a formative figure on the European Tour and it is good to take the opportunity to honour and praise his achievements."
