Thomas to make his Scottish Open debut

Cape Town - World No 6 Justin Thomas is set to light up Scotland, the Home of Golf this, summer as he makes his debut in the Scottish Open on July 11-14.

The 26-year-old joins a stellar field at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick for the third event in the 2019 Rolex Series, which includes fellow Major winners Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson and his American Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Kuchar, the current rankings leader on the PGA Tour.

It's back to where it all began for Thomas, who made his first start as a professional in Scotland at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2013.

He has gone on to be one of the biggest stars in golf, last year becoming just the 21st player to be crowned world No 1 since the Official World Golf Ranking started in 1986.

He sealed his first Major title with a two-shot victory at the 2017 US PGA Championship, recording a total of five victories in the 2016/17 season on the way to topping the rankings in the United States for the first time.

He continued that form into the following season, winning three titles, including the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, before making his debut in The Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in September.

"I'm excited to get back to Scotland - I definitely have fond memories of the country after making my first start as a pro at the Dunhill Links," said Thomas.

"I've never played in this event before but I know that the Scottish Open always has a great field, and a lot of Americans come over every year ahead of The Open.

"I had a great experience playing on the European Tour over in France last year in the lead up to The Ryder Cup. The crowds in Scotland are always supportive and knowledgeable, so I'm looking forward to a week of competitive links golf in front of great fans."

This year the Scottish Open once again takes its traditional slot in the week before The Open. Six of the last nine winners of The Open prepared for their Major triumph by teeing it up in Scotland's national open the previous week, including McIlroy in 2014 and Stenson two years later.

The tournament will be played for the first time at The Renaissance Club - which was founded in 2008 - when it takes its place as the third event in the 2019 Rolex Series, the premium category of tournaments on the Race to Dubai, each with a minimum prize fund of $7million.

Scottish Open champion Brandon Stone of South Africa will defend his title in July.