U.S. Open runner-up Tommy Fleetwood has withdrawn from this week’s Scottish Open, opting to rest up in advance of The Open at Carnoustie that starts in 10 days.
Fleetwood shot a 63 last month at Shinnecock Hills to finish one shot behind Brooks Koepka, and he missed the cut earlier this month in defense of his title at the HNA French Open. Fleetwood told the Telegraph (U.K.) that he was “a little under the weather” in Paris because of a virus, and he has opted for a conservative approach heading into another major.
“I wanted to play the Scottish, because it’s a great course I really like; my result there a few years back actually took me to 47th in the world which was the highest I’d been at that point,” Fleetwood said. “But I feel this is best for me.”
Currently ranked No. 10 in the world, Fleetwood tied for 10th at the 2015 Scottish Open, the last time it was at Gullane. He also holds the current course record at Carnoustie, having shot a 63 last year during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Fleetwood finished T-27 at last year’s Open at Royal Birkdale, the first time he made the cut in four Open appearances.
Fleetwood became the second high-profile European to pull out of the Scottish field following Henrik Stenson’s withdrawal because of an elbow injury. Rafael Cabrera-Bello will defend his title against a field that includes Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, Patrick Reed, Hideki Matsuyama and Rickie Fowler, who won the last time it was held at Gullane.
Source: Internet
