Ricky Barnes, the reigning US Amateur champion, who won the low amateur prize in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National, has confirmed his place in the £2.2 million Barclays Scottish Open, which takes place at Loch Lomond Golf Club from July 10-13.
After out-scoring playing partner Tiger Woods by seven shots in the opening round, the 22 year old American went on to finish the championship in 21st place on three over par 291, just one shot behind the World Number One and the cosmopolitan grouping of Rich Beem, Angel Cabrera, KJ Choi, Paul Lawrie and Davis Love III.
Barnes, who will make his debut at Loch Lomond this summer, following in the footsteps of former US Amateur champion Matt Kuchar, is understandably excited at the prospect of competing in The Barclays Scottish Open.
Scottish Amateur champion, Andrew McArthur, has also accepted an invitation to play at Loch Lomond, and will challenge Barnes for the low amateur prize. McArthur, who plays at Windyhill Golf Club on the outskirts of Glasgow, won the 2002 Scottish Amateur Championship at Western Gailes after a closely fought battle with Scott Jamieson.
The 24 year old, who is on a golf scholarship at Pfeiffer College in North Carolina, finished ninth equal in the Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit last season and rose to fifth place in the American college rankings earlier this year.
Barnes and McArthur will be joined at Loch Lomond by the winner of the 2003 Amateur Championship, which will be played at Royal Troon from June 2-7.
A large crowd is expected to follow the young amateur stars when they play at Loch Lomond this summer. Ticket sales for the event are going well, with the Scottish golfing public taking advantage of early booking offers.
Savings of over 50% are available on tickets booked before May 31, and all spectators will get free parking for the first time in the tournament’’s history. Full details of all daily admission and season ticket prices are available by calling the Ticket Hotline on 01436 65 55 59 or by sending an email to tournament@lochlomond.com
