Five things to know: Hero Open

The European Tour heads to Scotland for the second edition of the Hero Open. Here are your five things to know.

**Second edition of Hero Open

**The Hero Open heads to new location this week for the second edition of the event, which will be held on the Torrance Course at Fairmont St. Andrews.

Last year, the venue made its debut on the European Tour during Adrian Otaegui’s victory at the AXA Scottish Championship. And while defending Hero Open winner Sam Horsfield won’t feature in this week’s field, Otaegui will be there to attempt more success in Scotland.

Plenty of home talent

European Tour winners Stephen Gallacher, Richie Ramsay, Marc Warren and Scott Jamieson are among 17 Scots attempting to become the first Scottish player to win a European Tour title on home soil since Paul Lawrie’s victory during the 2012 Johnnie Walker Championship.

David Drysdale joins them, along with the next generation of Scottish stars in Grant Forrest, Callum Hill, David Law, Liam Johnston and Connor Syme. They are all seeking maiden European Tour victories and are hopeful there will be some home support in St. Andrews. 

“I’ve played there a lot,” said Syme. “I’ve had the chance to go up and I’ve had a good amount of preparation around there – the guys have looked after me in the recent weeks and I almost feel like a member myself.

“It’s brilliant to have fans back out and the ones in the UK have the best reputation for their understanding of the game, so hopefully they’re out in good support for the local guys.”

EDGA

Coinciding with the main event is also the third EDGA (European Disabled Golf Association) event in a row: The EDGA Hero Open.

The event is one of five 36-hole tournaments set for this season, which will see golfers taken from the World Rankings for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) take up the opportunity to tackle the same course set-up as the European Tour professionals.

A new field of eight players are set to compete this week and next, following two consecutive wins from Brendan Lawlor at both the ISPS HANDA World Disability Invitational in the EDGA Cazoo Open. The top eight players from across the two groups of players will qualify for the EDGA Dubai Finale to be staged at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November.

Fairmont

Back after making its European Tour debut for a different event last year, this week’s event will be held over the Torrance Course, originally designed by former Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance.

Gene Sarazan was the first mastermind behind both courses at Fairmont St Andrews resort, but after his passing Sam Torrance continued with the design, and opened the course along with the hotel in 2001.

The course, which has since seen several holes redesigned, lies a few miles outside of St Andrews, and iconic views over the town can be seen from the dramatic 16th green, which is situated on a cliff edge.

One of the unique features of the 7,230 yard par 72 course are the old boundary farm walls, which were incorporated into the design to maintain the history of the land – and also pose a challenge to players.

Legends Tour Roots

Although the Torrance Course is now making just its second appearance on the European Tour, it previously served as a regular venue for the Scottish Senior Open on six different occasions.

More recently, a composite course of both the Torrance and the Kittocks (the second course at Fairmont St Andrews) also served as the 2019 Final Open Qualifying Venue for the 148th Open at Royal Portrush.