Catriona Matthew ‘grateful’ to secure Scottish Open invitation

Star player needed an invite

Catriona Matthew

Solheim Cup-winning

captain Catriona Matthew is teeing up in next month’s Ladies Scottish Open in her native East Lothian – thanks to the first invitation she’s needed in a long time, writes

MARTIN DEMPSTER.

The North Berwick golfer is a two-time winner of the Aberdeen Standard Investments-sponsored event, which is taking place at The Renaissance Club on August 13-16.

But she has had to rely on an invitation this time around due to fact she isn’t eligible through either the LPGA or LET.

“It’s been a while since I have needed an invite to get into an event, so I am really grateful to Aberdeen Standard Investments and VisitScotland,” said Matthew, inset, the champion in 2011 and 2013 at Archerfield Links.

The event will mark the return of professional women’s golf to Scotland for the first time since Matthew led Europe to a dramatic Solheim Cup win at Gleneagles last September.

It will also signal the return of world-class sport to Scotland since Covid-19 restrictions started to be lifted.

“It’s been such a strange few months and it has definitely put golf into perspective,” added Matthew, who has been re-appointed for next year’s Solheim Cup in Toledo, Ohio.

“But, at the same time, I am starting to get pretty excited about getting out and competing again and also seeing everyone again and welcoming them back to Scotland from a socially-safe distance!”

With only four up for grabs in the co-sanctioned tournament, another invitation has been handed to Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, who lit up last year’s AIG Women’s British Open when winning at Woburn.

Known as the ‘Smiling Cinderella’ in her homeland, she is excited about the prospect of playing in Scotland for the first time.

“Last year’s experience at Woburn truly felt like I was part of a fairytale and now I am really looking forward to my next adventures in Scotland,” said Shibuno.