EVERYTHING’S COMING UP ROSES FOR GEMMA DRYBURGH

As one of the seven Scottish players in the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, Gemma Dryburgh would love nothing more than to hoist the trophy come Sunday at The Renaissance Club. Thanks to the Rose Ladies Series, a tour organized by Justin and Kate Rose following the pandemic-related shutdown, Dryburgh comes into the week in some of the best playing shape of her career.

Dryburgh won back-to-back Rose Series Ladies events at Buckinghamshire Golf Club and Royal St. George’s, the latter hosting its first women’s professional event after hosting The Open on 14 occasions. After completing a 14-day quarantine upon her return to the United States, Dryburgh tied for sixth at the LPGA Drive On Championship, the best result of her three-year LPGA Tour career.

“Obviously getting into competition again after lockdown, getting me sharp and just getting my game in good nick,” said Dryburgh, who played collegiately at Tulane University. “I think that really helped me going into the LPGA Drive on Tournament, and just had a really strong start.”

Dryburgh now sets her sights on The Renaissance Club, hosting its second consecutive Ladies Scottish Open. While she has yet to make a cut in the tournament, Dryburgh feels that this could finally be her year. She also gets the honor of striking the tournament’s opening ball, teeing off Thursday at 6:30 a.m. alongside Julia Engstrom and Azahara Munoz.

“It’s looking really good. The rough’s up compared to last year,” said Dryburgh. “It’s looking a lot narrower, which hopefully will suit me and the greens are much firmer than last year, so hopefully it stays that way. I quite like that.”