Catriona Matthew - Photo: DR

The first contract in golf history signed for a period of three years, bringing together the LET and the LPGA in partnership with the title sponsor, Aberdeen Asset Management as well as a key partner, VisitScotland, will see the transition of the event from a Pro-Am format to an individual stroke play event with a field of exceptional female players and will enjoy international media exposure.

With a very strong field of 156 players among the best in the world and an endowment of 1.5 million US $. the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, which will be played over 72 holes, will be broadcast live on both continents by Golf Channel and Sky Sports. This underlines Scotland 's strong involvement in women' s golf, at a time when Gleneagles is tipped to host the Solheim Cup in 2019. For the first time, perfect equality will be respected at all levels of the game, for the players. and Scottish Open players while providing live coverage of both tournaments for golf enthusiasts around the world.

Lydia Ko - Photo: DR

The following week, the RICOH British Open Women will take place at the Kingsbarns Golf Links in St. Andrews on the east coast of Scotland. The back-to-back stretch of events echoes a successful men's strategy with the Scottish Open taking place the previous week, an approach that has proven to be a defining advantage for players competing in the two championships.

Paul Bush, Director of Events for VisitScotland, said: “Scotland is famous the world over for being the birthplace of golf and the host of the world's greatest golf events. It is therefore only natural that the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open stands proudly alongside other world class tournaments on both the LET and the LPGA. The huge success of the men's Scottish Open which will take place the week before the Open; We expect similar success for the Scottish Women's Open just ahead of the Ricoh Women's British Open. This historic agreement underlines Scotland's commitment to women's golf and we look forward to hosting the Solheim Cup 2019 and I would like to pay tribute to both the LET and the LPGA, alongside our partners at Aberdeen Asset Management, for this vision that has become a reality. "

Martin Gilbert, CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management said: “This is a huge stepping stone for Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open which ranks alongside the biggest tournaments across the two tournaments combined. Our ambition and vision to grow the event to the point where it becomes a fixture on the calendars of the world's top players while continuing to expose the Aberdeen brand in key markets. This agreement, with live television on both Golf Channel and Sky Sports will continue to do so and we would like to thank everyone who came together to make this event possible ”.

Ivan Khodabakhsh, CEO of the Ladies European Tour, said: “The Scottish Ladies Aberdeen Asset Management Open is one of our most anticipated events and we are happy to collaborate with VisitScotland, our fantastic tournament sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management and the LPGA , will allow our players to compete for a significantly increased endowment. With world class women 's golf across the continents, the event will generate enormous interest beyond the borders of the golf community which will help set the stage perfectly for the Solheim Cup 2019 at Gleneagles ".

LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan said: “Given Scotland's rich history in golf, I am very happy that the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open has become an opportunity for the world's best players to pass. two consecutive weeks in Scotland. This tournament will also become an important 'RICOH British Open Women's in the calendar of players. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with LET, Aberdeen Asset Management and VisitScotland to bring the world's best female golfers to our golf fans and Scottish spectators. "

The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will take place at Dundonald Links, North Ayrshire from July 27-30.
More information on  www.ladiescottishopen.com.