Ko and Hull resume friendly rivalry at Scottish Open

Lydia Ko and Charley Hull resume their friendly rivalry as the teenagers are paired together in the opening rounds of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.

World No 2 Ko and Hull, ranked 50, will tee off at 12.10 on Friday at the Ayrshire course in what Ko believes will be a ‘tough test of golf'. 

The duo have played together a number of times, but Hull has more experience on links courses, winning a national tournament at nearby Turnberry at the age of nine.

“It’s good to be back on a links course. Last time I played links golf was a year ago at Royal Birkdale during the Women’s Open,” said 19-year-old Hull.

“It’s a bit colder than I would like it to be. The course is nice. It’s quite strange though. The greens are very receptive and it’s quite hard to play the bump and run shots from the little run off areas as they are so receptive. It’s tricky. You can’t pitch it 20, 30 yards short and let it run up.”

Hull's playing partner became the youngest ever world No 1 at 17, before recently being overtaken by Inbee Park.

With three professional titles this year already, and a third-place finish at the Marathon Classic last week, Ko is on top of her game. However, she has only played once in Scotland, finishing tied 40th and joint leading amateur with Georgie Hall at the 2013 Ricoh Women's British Open at St Andrews. 

“I like links golf," said the 18-year-old New Zealander. "But without doubt it's very difficult and challenging.

“I’ll try my best out there but you know it’s a pretty tough course. I played nine holes yesterday. It’s not going to be easy – not 10-under-par every day.

"But I think this week will be great preparation for me for Turnberry next week.  I’ve never played a pro-am in an official tournament, so I think it should be a lot of fun.” 

'Perfect preparation'

World No 7 Suzann Pettersen also believes it will be a great warm-up tournament for the British Open but insists she is concentrating fully on this week's event.

"It's perfect preparation," said the Norwegian. “I’m excited to be back in Scotland. I’ve never played back-to-back leading up to the British Open so I decided to try and change it up a bit and fall in love with links golf.”

British No 1 Catriona Matthew, ranked one place above Hull, thinks having big players at the event will help the Scottish Open become as big as the men's equivalent event.

“I think it’s great that we’ve got the likes of Lydia, Suzann and Charley in the field," said the Scot. "Obviously they want to play some links golf ahead of Turnberry.

"Hopefully this event can build like the men’s one has, keeping its slot just before the British as that can only help attract more big players in the future.”

The 2009 Women's British Open winner is targeting her third Scottish Open title. Matthew, who is paired with Cheyenne Woods in the opening two rounds, won at Archerfield in  2011 and 2013 and is desperate for another success.

“Obviously you want to win every tournament you play in and this being the Scottish Open, it’s very special to me," she added. 

Notable Pairings (Friday):
12.10  Lydia Ko (NZL) & Charley Hull (ENG)
12.20 Suzann Pettersen (NOR) & Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 
12.30 Cheyenne Woods (USA) & Catriona Matthew (SCO)