Wednesday 12 July 2017 14:51, UK
Rickie Fowler is hopeful that returning to play in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be a huge benefit to his chances of making his major breakthrough at The Open next week.
Fowler won the title in grand style at Gullane two years ago, but he was unable to defend his crown last season due to scheduling issues as the American was committed to representing his country at the Olympic Games.
He insisted that opting not to play at Castle Stuart did not unduly affect his performance at Royal Troon the following week, when he made the cut but finished a lowly 46th - some 26 shots behind champion Henrik Stenson.
But he believes playing the week before The Open is ideal preparation for the third major of the year, particularly for American challengers as they get acquainted with the complexities of links golf in breezy conditions.
"I was a little bummed that we weren't able to make it back last year with some schedule conflicts, but after getting the win here in 2015 at Gullane, I always love playing over here in Scotland," said the world No 10, who was in contention at both the Masters and US Open this year before fading on the final day.
"Links golf is probably my favourite, and any time I get a chance to play it, we do. I'm looking forward to this week here, just because I feel like I know I can play well on links courses. I've been playing well this year and everything has been trending in the right direction, being in contention at the first two majors.
"Like I said, I enjoy playing the week before the majors just to get myself ready to go, check off some boxes. That way there's less prep the week of a major. You just go out and get ready on the golf course and go play.
"The Scottish Open has been great for me going into The Open, and with my best finish in The Open coming after, when I played my first Scottish Open up in Aberdeen. I think there's a lot of good that can happen these next two weeks."
Asked how missing last year's event affected his preparation for Royal Troon, Fowler added: "Not a whole lot. I came over a couple days earlier than I would normally to a tournament, which I've had success in The Open coming over and doing that.
"I feel like as professional golfers and going to different tournaments, there's some times you have to deal with, the shorter preparation time. Through the first couple of years, seeing golf courses for the first time, for me being in The Open rotation, there's a lot of courses I haven't seen more than once, other than St Andrews.
"Yeah, I would have liked to play the week before. I enjoy playing the week before majors but it doesn't always work out that way, and can't, based on some scheduling conflicts every once in a while.
"Everyone has kind of a different philosophy or way that they like to get ready for events. Some guys like to have the week off before to practice and do some work at home, and some guys like to play in.
"But I think you've seen more guys come over in the past five years or so, just I think with seeing how much success guys have had from playing the week before, The Scottish Open, and going into The Open.
"For me, it's been something I've liked. I've seen success from it. But like I said, it doesn't work for everyone and some guys like to get the work in away from a tournament to prepare."
