Scottish players feel “an inch taller” playing in front of a home crowd and the new wave of European Tour pros will be targeting the first home Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open win in 14 years, believes Stephen Gallacher.
The winner of the Dubai Desert Classic in January is just one of a wave of Scots starting to contend week-on-week on the European Tour and all will be present at Castle Stuart from July 11-14.
Record crowds are expected before the championship moves to Royal Aberdeen next year, and Gallacher believes the Scottish tour pros can force the first home win since Colin Montgomerie in 1999.
“In the last year, it’s been coming, and it’s on the other side of the pond as well with Martin (Laird) winning in Texas,” he said.
“Here you’ve had Scott Jamieson and myself winning, Paul (Lawrie) is still going well and Pete Whiteford is knocking on the door.
“Chris Doak is now emerging and Marc (Warren) was only just beaten in a play-off at Wentworth. It’s rubbing off on everyone. For all of us, the Scottish Open is the fifth major, you want so much to win in front of your own folk.
“Without being biased, the home lot are a good crowd who understand the game, and there’s no shouts of “mashed potato” here.
“They are very knowledgeable and you can get your pals and your family coming up to watch you, which does spur you on. You do feel an inch taller playing in your own country in an event of this stature.”
Gallacher believes Warren in particular will be dying to get back to Castle Stuart, after his experience last year where he led by three with five to play but finished out of the play-off won by Jeev Milkha Singh.
“He will just be looking forward to coming here. I know people maybe think he let one slip here but he won’t be the only guy to do that. To get that clear on a field of that magnitude was some achievement.
“He’s a great player, he’s had a couple of close ones, but he’s won three times. So he will be looking forward to this, and I think he’ll be the one to beat.”
Gallacher believes while the young bucks like Rory McIlroy and Matteo Manassero take the headlines, it is experience that is working for the Scots.
“I don’t know if it’s just everybody getting more used to being out here, going back to courses year on year, getting to know their game better. There’s only one Scot on tour under the age of 29. So we’re all pretty much maturing.”
The other major carrot at Castle Stuart is a place in the Open at Muirfield the following week for the winner, something Gallacher has his eye on.
“I’m trying to qualify for the Open at Sunningdale, and there’s also an order of merit which finishes at the French Open, but here is the last chance saloon if need be.
“I’ve been everywhere at the start of the year, long haul flights and whatever and I’ve had a slight niggle in my back, so I’ve had a bit of a break to address it now before the big run and before the Ryder Cup points start.
“I’m not putting too much emphasis on the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles though. Obviously I would love to be in it, but I don’t want to get sidetracked.”
Gallacher belives that to be a true links a course should be “proper old-fashioned” but likes modern links courses like Castle Stuart.
“I was lucky enough to play here just before it opened and the difference is unbelievable in the shape and definition,” he said.
“It is only going to get better and better.
“It’s been great here and north tourism has had a nice wee boost. Taking it to the north east next year to an equally good golf course will give an equal boost there. I would like to see it going round the country, giving everyone a turn, would be great.”