Colin Montgomerie - tournament host
“This is very special, it’s the first time I’ve hosted an event, whether it be on the European Tour, DP World Tour or Legends Tour. So, it’s a big deal and I’m enjoying it thoroughly.
“The weather seems set fair, which is all we can ask for. I think it’s a super event and it’s become a major event on the calendar. I think it’s fantastic I really do and it’s an honour to be to be to be part of it – never mind hosting it, just to be part of it. A fantastic venue and everyone seems to be enjoying Trump International Golf Links.
“After the best part of 40 years of travel, you know, I fancy a bit more of this. I’m 61 now and I think to get back on Sunday night for a start, to get back home, would be great. I think I’ll be playing an awful lot more on the Legends Tour than I have in the past and I am really looking forward to it.
“I’d love to contend; I’d love to be in that top ten where you’re in contention. That’s the goal, we’ll see how we get on. But the standard around any tour right now has improved dramatically, including the Legends Tour over the last five years. As I get older, they come in younger, it gets tougher and tougher.
Peter Baker - defending champion
“It’s such a beautiful place and it’s great to be back here, I’m really looking forward to the week.
This is a big event for us, if you look at the names on the trophy – it’s amazing. I think it is the oldest senior event in the world, so it’s lovely to have won it and I’m excited to have another go at it.
“We had the Senior Open last week, which is a big one and this week feels the same.
It’s a brilliant course but it’s a tough course as well – a really good test.
“You’ve just got to strike the ball well and you can’t miss it around here. You’re not going to get away with any miss hits or wild shots. You’ve really got to be on your game, control your ball flight.
“I love links golf, but it’s a tough game. You’ve got to take the rough with the smooth, it forces you to hit a lot of different shots.
Paul Lawrie - local Legend & 1999 Open champion
“Hopefully it will be windy because that’s what the Scottish boys like, you know, we’re used to that. I think the forecast is pretty good for the week. The course is looking great. It’s got a massive tournament feel about it, so it should be good.
“I stayed at home last week for the Senior Open at Carnoustie and then I’m obviously at home again this week, because I’m only 20 minutes from here. I’ve had some nice wins in Scotland, I always feel it’s easier for me to play in Scotland. A lot of people find it harder to play in front of their home fans, but I find that the opposite – I’ve had some nice successes in front of them.
“Links courses are all about the fairway bunkers, y you saw that last week. If you go in them, I don’t think anyone hit it on the green from a fairway bunker last week – a proper links fairway bunker means you can’t get to the greens. They’ve got that set-up here this week as well – it’s about getting the ball in the right position around here. If you can do that then it is scoreable, there are birdies to be had out there. The course is obviously pretty good and long, but if you get your ball in the right place, you can make birdies.
“My game is close actually – I had a couple of days last week when it was good and a couple of days what it was not great. Thursday it was poor and then Sunday was awful tee to green, but my short game was sharp. Sometimes as a pro, you’ve got to sometimes just grind it out and get a score out of something even when it’s not great.
“I don’t play an awful lot of golf, but when I have played, I’ve been there or there about.
I’d like to think that I would be in there with a go at it on Sunday. This event sits one under a major, it’s our flagship tournament. I want to win every week, but it would be nice to have my name on a trophy that’s got the history this one’s got. It’s obviously a big event and it’s in Aberdeen, so to win here this week would be special.”
John Daly - two-time Major winner
“This golf course is amazing. You do not want to miss the fairway here, but it’s hard. I mean, it’s beautiful, it’s great, but it is hard – I’m not even going to carry a driver in the bag this week.
“I’ve always loved links golf, it’s something that you got to have a good imagination for and you have got to hit a lot of different golf shots – links is probably my favourite type of golf, I just love the challenge and this is going to be a good one here.
“I haven’t played great in the last couple of weeks, I’ve been banged up and I could barely walk, but thank God I got a card this week. I just love the elements – you can have a perfect day like this and then next thing you know you can have rain, wind, anything can happen here in Scotland.
“This place right here is just unbelievable. I played Turnberry the other day which is incredible but Trump International Golf Links – wow, it’s just something very, very special.
“For me to win here, it would be great for Donald Trump – we’re good buddies. I call him Daddy and never call him President! First up I’ve got to worry about just trying to get into the weekend. My game hasn’t been great, but we’ve been working hard in this practice facility here this week which is one of the greatest I’ve ever seen – I could just live right here!
Greg Owen - runner-up here last year
“I’m excited to be back at a course which suits me. I like it, I think you’ve got to play well here, but it all depends on the weather. If it stays like this, it’s going to be wonderful.
“My game has been pretty good this year. I struggled a little bit the last couple of weeks, but I am working hard on things to improve, so hopefully it’ll all pay off this week.
“It’s exciting that I’m playing decent golf, but I’ve got to get close and finish one off soon.”
The tournament experience
The field include eight-time European Tour order of merit winner, our tournament host Colin Montgomerie; 1991 Masters Champion Ian Woosnam, 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie, 2005 US Open winner Michael Campbell, defending champion Peter Baker, Legends Tour leader on the MCB Road to Mauritius rankings – Scott Hend, and the 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.
For patrons, there will be plenty to see on the golf course and around it too. There are no gallery ropes, so you can walk the fairways up close to your golfing heroes.
The spectator village features plenty to see, including Q&A sessions with Ryder Cup captains and Major winners.
The tented village will also feature the Staysure Show Stage where local acts will be performing throughout the week, including an Acoustic Lunch session from Thursday to Sunday and a Saturday night party after the end of play too.
Patrons can take on some iconic putts recreated from the history of golf, with the world’s best movable putting floor – the Zen Green Stage. This 20-foot stage provides the chance to attempt to recreate some iconic moments in golf, with a leaderboard throughout the week.
There will also be free putting lessons with PGA Coaches during the week, while Titleist will be offering some golf ball education for patrons and club fitting sessions for Legends Experience Guests and VIP’s.
Tickets are available by clicking here TICKETS
For further spectator information click here WHAT TO EXPECT AT TRUMP INTERNATIONAL
