Ewen Ferguson thrilled with Scottish Open invite after fine Irish Open showing

As a youngster Ferguson made the trip with his pals to the event’s former Loch Lomond venue to see the stars and ask for souvenirs.

Now the 24-year-old will be part of the field for the European Tour event which starts at the North Berwick course today (Thursday).

Ferguson, part of the Modest! Golf stable, landed a sponsor’s invitation after an impressive showing at last week’s Irish Open where he finished joint 14th.

Highlight of his week was a superb three-under par second round of 67 which left him just two shots off the lead at the halfway stage, despite a bogey six at the last.

Ferguson has enjoyed some fine results since emerging from lockdown, including a top 25 finish at the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama, and is looking forward to a tournament he has always wanted to play in.

He said: “I used to go all the time [to Loch Lomond] with my pals at Bearsden Golf Club. We’d all get a bus across and stand at the the 18th to watch and ask for balls and gloves.

“It’s always been a dream to be playing on the European Tour in the Irish Open and Scottish Opens and travel on the circuit.

“At Valderrama a couple of weeks ago I played with Lee Westwood in the last round which was pretty cool. It’s great to get to play with these guys you’ve looked up to.

“They do encourage you, some more than others, and it also depends how they are playing. Westwood was really nice, if I hit a good shot he would say ‘fantastic shot pal’ and he told me some stories about when he played the course 20 years ago.

“You try to learn off his shots as well. He’s still got a lot to offer and to learn from; he still wins a couple of times a year and has been number one in the world, so he’s been there and done it all.

“I’m not one to set myself up for a fall. Last week I did the same. just take it shot by shot to try and get myself in contention and see what happens from there.”