Two-time Major Champion John Daly is relishing the rare opportunity to play match play golf at the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play in Aberdeen.
With the schedule presenting very few chances to play the head-to-head format, Daly is looking forward to this week’s tournament, where 64 players will do battle in a straight knock-out at Murcar Links Golf Club.
“I've only played our match play in the States a few times, maybe three or four times,” Daly said.
“Back then when I played, you had to win a tournament to get in it. Now it is World Rankings, and I think I've played in it maybe once, so maybe three times.
“I love playing match play. I just wish we played more of them.
“Match play here, it is weird, because you're almost better off hitting second, because there are so many holes out here.
“If you are hitting first and you are hitting a bad drive, the guy could just rip a five iron down there. Because if you get in the bad, bad stuff, it is hard to get it out. There is a lot of strategy to it.”
The 49 year old is no stranger to Scottish courses, having tasted victory at The Open Championship at St Andrews in 1995, but this is his first outing in Aberdeen.
He added: “This is the first time I have been up here. It is beautiful.
“It is a different style golf course. It is tight to hit the fairways but it is not too tight to play the golf course, if that makes any sense."
