Donald seeks Scottish win before British Golf Open

World No.1 Luke Donald believes competing on a links course at this week's Scottish Open will boost his hopes of capturing a first Major Championship at next week's British Open. Donald hasn't contested the Scottish Open since finishing in a share of fourth place four years ago at Loch Lomond. "I haven't played the Scottish for a few years since it was back at Loch Lomond but I've always felt like playing links golf leading into the British Open is very important," he said. "Hence, I'm here and looking forward to getting that feel and getting that spirit of links golf here at Castle Stuart. "My Open record has not been very good until the last couple of years so the preparation I've been doing leading up to the Opens has really helped, and with a fifth two years ago and an 11th last year, I wasn't really contending. "But it's certainly moving in the right direction and I'm feeling more comfortable on links golf courses." Donald's best place in a Major was third on his debut in 2005 Masters at Augusta. Donald has not competed since ending in a share of 45th place in last month's US Open at Congressional. He spent six days with his young family holidaying on Sardinia ahead to journeying to Kent late last week for four practice rounds at courses on and around the next week's 140th British Open host venue at Royal St. Georges. "I played Royal St. George's and also player Prince's, Rye and Royal Cinque Ports," he said. "Royal St. George's was looking very good with not as much rough as there was in 2003 but then the course doesn't need it. "The course is playing bouncy but not overly fiery, and I thought it was a very fair set up but it will be one of those Opens where the weather depicts the score rather than the course setup." And Donald has joined his Scottish Open colleagues in expressing disappointment long-time former World No. 1 Tiger Woods will be absent from next week's British Open. "Well, he's obviously not feeling ready with his injury," said Donald. "I'm not sure the extent of the injury, but I'm sure he would do everything to play if he was ready, but he obviously doesn't feel he is. "I'm not surprised he's not playing next week either way really. "Injury is a tough thing. I know I went through my own injury, and it's very easy to rush back and try to push it too hard. "The best thing you can do is to make sure it's totally right before you go play and practice, and so you can hopefully not have any injuries in the future." Donald will play the opening two rounds of the £3 million event in the company of Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and Sweden's Peter Hanson.