WGC events on course for Scotland

Scotland was assured yesterday that it will host one of the money-spinning golf World Championship events in the run-up to the 2014 Ryder Cup match at Gleneagles.

Ken Schofield, the executive director of the European Tour, yesterday revealed his thoughts on the imminent overhaul of the qualification system for the biennial contest. The Irish, who host the match at the K Club in 2006, will stage one of the World Championship tournaments in September when the $5 million American Express is held at Mount Juliet, Kilkenny.

"I don’t have any doubts in the run-up to the 2014 Ryder Cup that a World Golf Championship event will also be held in Scotland," said Schofield. "Whether it’s American Express or any of their successors as sponsors, I’m convinced they will want to come to Scotland. The reason for that is the feel for golf here is so special."

As the 2002 international schedule starts with the Bell’s South African Open in Durban today, Schofield insisted "the heart of European golf is still in the British Isles."

Bearing in mind there’s one tournament in Wales, four in Scotland, five in Ireland and seven in England this year, this renewed enthusiasm for golf in the British Isles is well founded.

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