Major winners Ernie Els, Phil Mikelson and Padraig Harrington, along with reigning champion Jeev Milkha Singh, look ahead to the Scottish Open.
While they were looking forward to the competition, they admitted they had one eye on next week’s Open Championship at Muirfield.
Ernie Els, two-time winner of the Scottish Open:
“You know, I’m just really looking forward to the week, obviously when you play the week after you’ve won… I’ve had two weeks off, two great weeks off at home in London… I just want to have some competitive golf before the Open… I’ve been to Muirfield as I’ve said, a couple of times now, so I kind of know what I need ot do.”
“I think that everybody has to find out what works best for them to get ready for the big events like next week’s British Open, that’s kind of on all of our minds, not to take anything away from the Scottish Open, it’s a wonderful event. Most of the guys are just trying to peak next week and play their best golf next week, and for me personally it’s to play the week before and when we moved the tournament from Loch Lomond to a links-style course here at Castle Stuart, I thought that enhanced the event and enhanced the opportunity for players to play the week before and get their game sharp for the British Open.”
Padraig Harrington:
“I believe in being competitive before a major, that’s certanly what helped me win my three majors. There’s no doubt, you’ve got to get out there with a card in your hand and iron out any little mental routine flaws, you know. You can spend all day on the range hitting shots, but it’s not the same as having just one shot, one go at it… I’d rather be in a tournament than…it wouldn’t be the same, playing a parkland golf course before an Open, you’ve really got to make sure you’re on a similar golf course. It’s quite a shock for us, you know, to go back to these links course, even for me, who has grown up on them. The variations in shot… even though I know it, convince myself that a certain club… it’s difficult.”
Jeev Milkha Singh, Scottish Open reigning champion:
“I just love it, to be back. It gives you positive vibes, gives you a good feel and I’m looking forward to this week. Especially when you walk everywhere, everyone’s congratulating you still, it’s been a year. I think it’s a good feeling to have.”
