The future of the Scottish Open has been secured for the next four years, thanks to a joint commitment from the Scottish Government, the European Tour and sponsors Aberdeen Asset Management to support the event until 2017.

Announcing the arrangement at Castle Stuart yesterday, First Minister Alex Salmond said the tournament would be moved around the country on a rota basis, in much the same way as The Open Championship.

It had already been announced that next year's tournament will be staged at Royal Aberdeen.

The venues for the three following years have yet to be chosen, but it was confirmed that Castle Stuart, which has hosted the event for the past three years, will be one of the courses used.

It is understood that the others will also be links courses, with a suggestion that east and west central Scotland will both be represented on the rota. The European Tour have provided a commitment that the Scottish Open will continue to be played the week before The Open.

Prize money is also set to rise over the lifetime of the agreement. The prize fund, currently £3 million, will go up to £3.25m in 2015 and 2016, with a further increase to £3.5m in 2017.