Donald to skip Scottish Open to study Royal Birkdale

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) - Luke Donald plans to miss this year's Scottish Open to focus on his preparations for the British Open the following week.

The July 17-20 British Open is being held at Royal Birkdale, a venue Donald has never seen.

"I have no experience at Birkdale," the 30-year-old Englishman told reporters during preparation for this week's Northern Trust Open.

"My plan is probably to skip Loch Lomond this year, although I do not really want to. I've played well there."

Donald, who plays most of his golf on the U.S. PGA Tour, has finished no worse than tied for fifth in his last three appearances at the Scottish Open.

"If I'm going to improve my chances at the (British) Open championship, improve my record, I probably need to spend a little bit more time on links golf leading up to the Open," he added.

"I'll definitely be there in May for the R&A (Royal & Ancient) day. That will be my first look at Birkdale."

Donald, who missed the cut in his first five British Opens, has a much better record at the Masters where he tied for third on debut in 2005 and shared 10th spot last year.