The flagship event of the Legends Tour season arrives in Scotland this week, at Trump International Golf Links.
The golf course has quickly gained a reputation as one of the best new links courses in the world. There is no doubt, it is a course which provides a proper test for the players.
Here, we’ve asked some of those in the field next week for their favourite hole and how they rate the examination of their game posed by Trump International Golf Links:
JOSÉ MARÍA OLAZÁBAL – Masters champion 1994 & 1999, Ryder Cup captain 2012
“The whole course at Trump International Golf Links is so incredibly challenging, but hole 14 (par 4) stands out in my memory from last year. The tee is elevated and the views from there are breathtaking.
“I haven’t yet worked out how to succeed on the 14th hole - it is so difficult! The dunes are big and the fairway is just a thin strip. If it is windy then it requires a three-quarter shot or even a low shot off the tee – in the hope of hitting the fairway. Any shot into the heart of the green is good.
“The tee shot is key, you must hit the fairway - anywhere on the fairway is good. It is so easy to lose you golf ball on that hole.
“Trump International Golf Links is such a challenge. If you miss a shot, you pay dearly for it. There is trouble on every hole, not only if your ball ends up in the long grass – but even the shorter grass can “eat” the ball and the greens are all very well protected by bunkers.
“I would rank Trump International Golf Links as a very challenging course and that is without playing off the back tees! It demands great ball striking and a very good short game too.”
José María Olazábal
PATRIK SJÖLAND – 2023 Legends Tour Rookie of the Year
“I think my favourite hole is the 14th (par 4), where you stand on top of a big sand dune and can see miles of ocean and coastline, big dunes and hit it downhill to a very tight fairway.
“To succeed you need to hit a good drive, then you're left with anywhere from a 5-iron to a wedge depending on the direction of the wind into a green that's slightly raised with a deep bunker in front. If you don't find the fairway, you just need to reload.
“I think it's one of the best links I have played because it's so demanding off the tee, if you don't find the fairways it's impossible to make a good score.
“The course is in the top three links courses that I have played after St Andrews and Carnoustie.”
Patrik Sjöland
JEEV MILKHA SINGH – 4 times winner on the DP World Tour
“My favourite hole is the 10th hole (par 5) because it gives you an opportunity of being aggressive. If you hit a great drive from where we play from, you can go for it with the second shot, otherwise you just lay up and you just hit that third shot onto the green because it's got three tiers on that green. It's a risk and reward thing and that's what I like about it.
“I've always been a very aggressive player in my life and I believe that the brave take their chances. If you want to play safe, that's fine - it's up to you. If you have no chance to go for it, then you better lay-up. But play aggressive, ‘smart aggressive’ that's the word I would use for that hole. If you're smart aggressive, you go for it.
“However, you can't be aggressive if you've got 280 yards for your second shot, you've got no chance, you can't make it to the green - so that's not smart, then you have to lay up. But, if you've got 250 yards for the second shot and you've got the confidence of hitting it on the green in two and it's downwind, you might as well go for it.
“A lot of players seem to lay up because they feel that they need to take par there and move on to the next hole. I'm a guy who will take my chances, even if I hate it in the rough.
“What a fantastic layout it is. I think if you played Trump International Golf Links from the back tees, it would be the toughest links golf course anywhere in the world. The way it is kept, everything from the driving range to the chipping area to the way it's manicured, it is world class and it is always a treat to play on a golf course like that.
“They should have a Senior Major there, it is a great test of golf. I know there's a lot of history with different links courses, but it would be a great venue for a Senior Major.”
Olazabal, Sjöland and Milkha Singh will all be lining up in the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship hosted by Colin Montgomerie next week, from July 31st to August 4th at Trump International Golf Links, Scotland.
Jeev Milkha Singh
Confirmed names in the field include eight-time European Tour order of merit winner, our tournament host Colin Montgomerie; 1991 Masters Champion Ian Woosnam, 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie, 2005 US Open winner Michael Campbell, 2003 US PGA Championship winner Shaun Micheel, two-time Major winner Angel Cabrera (2007 US Open & 2009 Masters), defending champion Peter Baker, Legends Tour leader on the MCB Road to Mauritius rankings - Scott Hend, and the 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.
Wednesday, July 31 will feature the Luxe Scot Celebrity Pro-Am with a series of big names taking part – all playing for a nominated charity, with £10,000 going to the winner, £7,500 for second place and £2,500 for third.
Celebrities confirmed to be playing include Anton du Beke, Brian McFadden, Damon Hill, Darren Gough, Gavin Hastings, Gianfranco Zola, Gordon Strachan, Jimmy Nesbitt, Judy Murray, Keith Duffy, Leone Rolle (DJ Rudimental), Kriss Akabusi, Roberto di Matteo and Scott Quinnell.
For patrons, there will be plenty to see on the golf course and around it too with the spectator village featuring plenty to see, including Q&A sessions with Ryder Cup captains and Major winners.
The tented village will also feature the Staysure Show Stage where local acts will be performing throughout the week, including an Acoustic Lunch session from Thursday to Sunday and a Saturday night party after the end of play too.
Patrons can take on some iconic putts recreated from the history of golf, with the world’s best movable putting floor – the Zen Green Stage. This 20-foot stage provides the chance to attempt to recreate some iconic moments in golf, with a leaderboard throughout the week – the winner (with the most completed putts) will get a Glenmuir voucher worth £150.
There will also be free putting lessons with PGA Coaches during the week, while Titleist will be offering some golf ball education for patrons and club fitting sessions for Legends Experience Guests and VIP’s.
Tickets are on sale at www.legendstour.com/tickets with spectators saving against the gate entry prices by buying online now.
VIP Clubhouse Hospitality is available through Trump International for £250 per person (tables of 10 available) including:
- Exclusive access to Trump International clubhouse
- All-day dining and complimentary bar*
- Limited edition tournament gift
- Priority parking
- Tournament admission
Contact lynn.hedley@trumpgolfscotland.com or visit www.trumpgolfscotland.com for details.