Rolex Series

Ewen Ferguson looking forward to making his own impact on home soil

Ewen Ferguson may have seen some comments on social media calling him a 'knock-off' Rickie Fowler but the home favourite is delighted to be teeing it up in the same field as the American at this week's Genesis Scottish Open.

The third Rolex Series event of the season is co-sanctioned, meaning stars of the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR will be teeing it up at The Renaissance Club, with 2015 champion Fowler among those playing on Scotland's Golf Coast.

With two DP World Tour titles on his CV and three top fives this season alone, Ferguson could not fairly be described as a 'knock-off' anybody, but the 27-year-old is taking it all in his stride and is delighted to be in elite company a week before his Major debut at The Open.

"I was buzzing seeing (Jordan) Spieth and Justin Thomas yesterday on the putting green and Spieth is just walking about," he said.

"I'm such a golf fan and stuff as well. I just love seeing these guys and it makes me feel proud that I'm playing against them as well. Excited to be there.

"I've also got this weird nickname right now, on social media people call me the knock-off Rickie Fowler.

"I think it's bit harsh but hopefully I can play with the real Rickie Fowler this weekend, that would be pretty cool.

"I think it's brilliant. I think it's a great nickname. The next Rickie Fowler would be nicer but knock-off, I'll take that as well."

Ferguson had to withdraw before last week's Made in HimmerLand due to migraine issues caused by his contact lenses, meaning his last start was a tie for fourth at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.

He revealed he had plenty of friends and family watching him at The Belfry and Ferguson believes the pressure to perform in front of loved ones - which he will face again this week - can actually get the best out of him.

Ewen Ferguson

"I like playing in front of like my family and stuff and trying to impress them," he said. "I'm looking forward to that.

"I do feel nervous when people are watching but I feel like I have an intensity over all my shots which makes me play well.

"They were all at the British Masters as well and at four over through four on the Thursday, if that happened at another tournament where no one else is there, I might be upset and miss the cut. But because they were there, I didn't want to let them down.

"So I think just like, five-foot putts, bash it out of the bunker, if you hit it in the bunker off the tees, bash it out. Every shot I feel like has got a real purpose, and I think that's why I do well."

Despite his late withdrawal last week, Ferguson is confident that the issues with his eyesight will not be a problem on home soil, after the conditions in Denmark also contributed to a perfect storm for an issue which bothers him a few times a year.

"I was excited to play last weekend at HimmerLand because I finished second there last year," said Ferguson, who also revealed fellow Scot Connor Syme has similar issues. "I wear contact lenses every day and sometimes my eyes get really sore and I get migraines and I get like blurry vision.

"It looks like something is floating across my eye, so I had that kind of Wednesday and Thursday in the Pro-Am. I woke up on Thursday, the weather was terrible and that was going and I was like, kind of stressed. So I pulled out, which is a shame.

"It troubles me at random times in the year. That's why I wear sunglasses all the time when I'm playing.

"Laser surgery? My pain threshold is not that good, so... I don't think I can do that.

"My eyes are good now. I've had some sleep and I wore my specs for a few days, so I'm all in good shape."

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