After much humming and haawing, Ernie Els has finally confirmed that he will compete in next week's Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.
While Graeme McDowell, the Northern Irishman, raised a few eyebrows last week by suggesting that the domestic showpiece had "lost its prestige", Els' fondness for both the championship and the host venue in the Highlands has never been in doubt.
Galvanised by his recent victory in the BMW International Open, the South African is building up a good head of steam for his defence of the Open Championship at Muirfield.
Els, who won the Claret Jug the last time the championship was held at the East Lothian course in 2002, had originally indicated that he would take three weeks off prior to the third major of the campaign, but the opportunity to sharpen his links game at Castle Stuart and keep the competitive juices flowing has swayed his thinking.
"Playing the Scottish Open is not only the perfect preparation for the Open, it's also a tremendous tournament in its own right," said Els, who won the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond in 2000 and 2003. "I feel I might need a little bit of a run before the Open. Three weeks off is a long time for me. You can only practice that much, you have to hit shots under pressure.
"I have very fond memories of my two wins in the Scottish Open, and if I can win it a third time next week, it would be the perfect platform for my defence of the Open. The Scottish galleries are very knowledgeable, they really know their golf, so if we can get some decent weather we should be in for another great week."
Els joins world No.6 Phil Mickelson and fellow former Open champions Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul Lawrie in the field for the Highland event on July 11 to 14.
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