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Cape Town - World No 7 Rickie Fowler will return to the scene of his 2015 victory when he tees it up in the Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club on July 12-15, 2018.
The American star recorded a memorable win the last time Gullane hosted the event, birdieing the 18th hole on Sunday to deny compatriot Matt Kuchar, who is also part of the world class field gathering on Scotland's Golf Coast this summer.
Kuchar had set the clubhouse target on 11-under par after a closing 68, but after bogeying the 14th, Fowler responded in thrilling style with birdies at the 15th, 16th and 18th to snatch victory from his Ryder Cup team-mate by a single shot.
It was a second brilliant finish of an impressive season for Fowler, who had earlier claimed victory in the Players Championship in the United States, playing the last six holes in six-under par to finish birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie.
This year the Scottish Open is once again part of the Rolex Series - the premium category of tournaments on the European Tour's Race to Dubai, each with a minimum prize fund of $7million.
Fowler joins a stellar field that includes defending champion Rafa Cabrera Bello, another former winner in world No 3 Justin Rose, and 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson, as the tournament once again takes its traditional slot in the week before the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Links.
The 29-year-old has recorded three second-place finishes in Major Championships, most recently at the Masters Tournament earlier this year, and he is well aware of the importance of preparation on the links, with six out of the last eight players to lift the Claret Jug having played in the Scottish Open the previous week.
"Gullane is a special place for me and I can't wait to get back there for the Scottish Open this summer," said Fowler.
"I love links golf - the golf course can play so differently each day and its always such an interesting challenge. Gullane was a very good test back in 2015. I had played the last four holes well all week, so I knew that I had some birdies in me after dropping a shot at the 14th on Sunday, and it turned out to be a perfect finish.
"The Scottish Open is a great week, and the Scottish fans are always so knowledgeable and appreciative, but it’s also good preparation for the Open. You often see guys who have played in the Scottish Open doing well the following week, so I'm looking forward to two good weeks on the links in July."
