DON'T MARC IT DOWN

Warren insists locked-out supporters and absent stars won’t devalue Scottish Open

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Marc Warren accepts superstars such as Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson won’t be there.

He understands why thousands of devoted fans as well as family and friends will miss out on the country’s showpiece event.

But if he’s standing at The Renaissance a week today as Scottish Open champion, Warren’s adamant it will still feel special.

This is not a normal Scottish Open. The global pandemic has moved it from its usual mid-summer slot in the week before The Open.

Travel restrictions and schedules mean some of the big guns won’t return to the venue while armies of home punters can’t line the fairways to roar on the tartan contingent.

But, as far as patriotic Warren is concerned, it remains a huge event and success would be cherished just as much as in any other year.

He said: “It’s still the Scottish Open, still our national Open. It’s as big as it has ever been. Obviously, it’s great when you have crowds and the atmosphere builds as the tournament goes on.

“ But if you are standing with the trophy on Sunday, you are still the winner of the Scottish Open. It’ll take nothing away from you.