Jamie McLeary may have been born less than 30 miles from Royal Aberdeen but the Scot has only played the illustrious Balgownie links once before.
Peterhead-born McLeary has endured a disappointing start to the European Tour season since making the step up from the Challenge Tour last year.
He claimed the 15th and last card from the Challenge Tour rankings by finishing second in the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final at Al Badia Golf Club.
McLeary, who had played on the Challenge Tour for seven seasons, is determined to do well at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
He said: “I have only played Royal Aberdeen once before in the Scottish amateur. It is a lovely golf course and I am looking forward to it.
“I was born in Peterhead but moved down to Fife when I was three and had seldom been back since but I am looking forward to this week.”
Although McLeary has struggled for form this year, making three cuts out of 17, he managed to earn a spot at next week’s Open by storming through final qualifying at Glasgow Gailes – helped by a course record 63.
He said: “I was over the moon to qualify for the Open. It is something golfers dream about when we are kids.
“It is my favourite tournament to watch on TV, sitting there listening to Peter Alliss for eight or nine hours a day.
“I can’t believe I am going to play in it as I felt it might never happen. It was a bit like getting my card on the European Tour, which I feared might not happen. It is nice to tick one off on the bucket list.”
And McLeary hopes last week’s success can spark a turn in fortunes after a testing first year on the European Tour.
And where better to start than back in Scotland at Royal Aberdeen?
He said: “My season hasn’t been good so far. Not only have I been unable to recapture how I was playing last year but I am playing some of the worst golf I have been playing in years.
“I can’t put my finger on it. It would be brilliant if everything clicked at the Scottish Open.
“Everyone wants to do well in their home open in front of a home crowd. Some of the tournaments we go to can be quiet but the Scottish Open will be packed and a great atmosphere.
“I would really like to do myself justice this week.
“I grew up playing links golf at Leven down in Fife so I feel like I know links golf as much as anybody else.
“I obviously don’t know Royal Aberdeen as well as guys such as Richie Ramsay or Paul Lawrie but I have confidence playing links golf, I feel it suits my game.”