Links move for Scottish Open

This year's Taylormade R9 SuperMax Irons
will be played at Castle Stuart near Inverness, the European Tour has announced.

The tournament has been staged at Loch Lomond for the last 15 years, but the move to the "widely acclaimed" links course has been welcomed by many elite players.

The move will give players the opportunity to hone their links golf skills in preparation for the Open Championship, which takes place at Royal St Georges in Sandwich a week later.

Eduardo Molinari will defend his title in early July against a high-quality field featuring the Taylormade R9 SuperMax Irons
of Phil Mickelson, Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington.

"It is always exciting to break new ground," said European Tour chief executive George O'Grady. "Everyone at the Tour is delighted to be staging one of our most prestigious events at a new venue which has been so widely acclaimed.

Tim Peat, managing director of sponsors Barclays Capital, said: "We've always received requests from professionals to host the Barclays Scottish Open at a links course and we are delighted the European Tour have now selected Castle Stuart.

"We are confident this new links course will be a fantastic Taylormade R9 SuperMax Irons
for the golfing public and our clients to watch the world's best golfers compete."