Scottish Open is wedged in the middle of autumn swing

ASI tournament part of a big month for the European Tour in Great Britain

Keith Pelley, left, with Bernd Wiesberger of Austria, the winner of the Scottish O-pen last season

The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open could be part of a bumper three weeks of autumn golf in the UK this year.

Postponed in its scheduled July slot due to the coronavirus, it has now been re-arranged for October 8-11 at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian.

On the revamped European Tour schedule, it is due to be held the week before the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The ASI Scottish Open could also come straight after the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.

Though still to be confirmed, the Dunhill event, which is traditionally held in the autumn, is still currently pencilled in for October 1-4.

The planned schedule from July onwards was revealed by European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley after being two months in planning.

It was always felt the ASI Scottish Open would be one of the events Pelley and his team would be keen to reschedule and, though perhaps a month later than some people had initially expected, the countdown is back on for the event’s second visit to The Renaissance Club.

“You know, there’s always concern for weather,” said Pelley of the October date. “But at the same time, we looked at the schedule and we worked very closely with Aberdeen Standard Investments and the Scottish government, as well as BMW, to put those events back-to-back.

“We looked at it very closely and we felt that those two dates for two of our biggest events would be the best dates on the schedule. Everything is about ease of travel this year, as you will see from the next wave of our schedule to come out.”

The circuit is scheduled to get back up and running with a six-week ‘UK Swing’ behind closed doors in July and August.

The Betfred British Masters, which will be first up as it is hosted by Lee Westwood at Close House, near Newcastle, on July 22-25 – a week earlier than originally planned.

It will be followed by the English Open at Forest of Arden, English Championship at Hanbury Manor, the Celtic Classic and Wales Open both at Celtic Manor Resort and then the UK Championship at The Belfry.

That run, of course, will involve the circuit returning to former Ryder Cup venues – Celtic Manor, where Colin Montgomerie led Europe to victory in 2010, and The Belfry, its long-time home on this side of the Atlantic.

“Everything is about ease of travel this year, as you will see from the next wave of our schedule to come out,” added Pelley.

“I said to David Howell, chairman of our tournament committee, last night, that he will never have an easier schedule in terms of travel. And, to be honest with you, it might quite honestly be a little bit of a glimpse of the future.”

All tournaments played in the reshaped 2020 season will be governed by the circuit’s comprehensive health strategy, which is costing more than £2 million to implement.

It has been developed by Dr Andrew Murray, the European Tour’s Chief Medical Officer, in consultation with health care specialists Cignpost.

Players will be tested before they leave any country to travel to the UK and daily checks will also be made at events.

“Since the suspension of our 2020 season in early March, we have taken a measured approach in reassessing our schedule, informed every step of the way by our medical advisers and government guidance,” said Pelley. “We have consistently said that safety is our absolute priority.”

Meanwhile, Edinburgh Leisure has announced plans to reopen the Braids, Carrick Knowe, Craigentinny and Silverknowes next Thursday, with dates still to be confirmed for both Portobello and Wee Braids.