The Hero Open Preview, Picks & Analysis
By: Golfshake Editor | Mon 02 Aug 2021
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The European Tour heads to Fife and the legendary town of St Andrews for the Hero Open, which will be contested at the stunning Fairmont St Andrews just a few miles outside the spiritual home of the game.
Last year, Sam Horsfield won the tournament that was entitled the Hero Open at Forest of Arden, while Adrian Otaegui claimed the Scottish Championship at the Fairmont in October.
The Spaniard is back this week and will be joined by a varied field that includes the likes of Eddie Pepperell, Marcus Armitage and Andy Sullivan, while Sunday's winner at Galgorm Castle, Daniel Gavins is also competing in Scotland.
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Eyes will also be on recent Silver Medalist at The Open, Matthias Schmid, who was the leading amateur at Royal St George's and is now embarking on a professional career.
Of course, the crowd would love to see a home winner and there are plenty of Scots in the field, including veteran Ryder Cup player Stephen Gallacher, David Law, Richie Ramsay, Scott Jamieson, Marc Warren, Calum Hill and David Drysdale. Drysdale is playing in his 532nd European Tour event and there would be no more popular winner.
The Course
The Torrance at Fairmont St Andrews is a cliff-top course that measures 6,835 yards and overlooks the Auld Grey Toun. If the weather is kind you can expect to see some very low scoring, but if the wind gets up it is certain to provide a very stiff challenge.
Form Guide
Marcus Armitage won the European Open in June, missed the cut at the US Open and loved every moment of his experience at The Open, where he finished the week in a tie for 52nd place. Now feels like he belongs at this level. Nacho Elvira had endured a miserable season but that all changed with his hard-fought and highly dramatic play-off win at the Cazoo Open.
To Win:
Marcus Armitage. Finally has some self-belief
Players to Follow:
Marcus Armitage. One of the most popular players on tour
Eddie Pepperell. Looking to turn around a disappointing season
Nacho Elvira. His win at the Cazoo Open came from nowhere
David Drysdale. Desperate for a win
Richie Ramsay. Loves playing in front of a home crowd
Stephen Gallacher. Don’t rule him out
Callum Shinkwin. Would have picked up a lot of confidence from his fourth place at the Cazoo Open
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Tags: european tour
