Aberdeen Asset Management extends Scottish Open links

The Scottish Open has teamed up with Aberdeen Asset Management and the Scottish Government to extend the financial services company’s title sponsorship of the golf tournament through to 2017.

The tri-party partnership with the European Tour will result in an increased prize fund, from the current level of £3m (€3.5m/$4.6m) to £3.25m in 2015 and 2016 before a further rise to £3.5m for the 2017 edition.

Also included in the agreement is a commitment to return to Castle Stuart Golf Links in one of these three years.

The Inverness venue has successfully hosted the event over the past three seasons and American Phil Mickleson prevailed in a sudden-death play-off against South Africa’s Branden Grace to take the 2013 title at the weekend.

In 2014, the Scottish Open will take place at the Royal Aberdeen course – the eighth destination for the competition since 1972 – as confirmed by the European Tour last September.

Aberdeen Asset Management is two years into its initial three-year deal with the Scottish Open.