A second American winner in three years at the Scottish Open, the third high-profile one in succession, and further evidence that Rickie Fowler should be among the favourites to prevail in the Open. All of the aforementioned was provided over the links of Gullane on Sunday afternoon.  Fowler shot a final round of 68 to finish on 12 under par, one shot clear of his Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Kuchar and Raphaël Jacquelin. The latter came within inches of forcing a play-off with his approach shot from the middle of the 72nd fairway. Jacquelin will surely accept the consolation of an Open place.  Fowler’s triumph, added to that at the Players Championship in May, supplies proof of his coming of age. How he will relish the coming days at St Andrews. Fowler birdied three of the closing four Gullane holes.  “This is pretty special,” Fowler said of his maiden win in Europe. “It feels good to be back on form. There are a few things we can tighten up before St Andrews but I am excited to get back to St Andrews. I’m looking to get into contention there.”  Related: Rickie Fowler holds his nerve to win play-off at Players Championship  Earlier, the strongest hint yet that the Scottish Open may not, as had been widely expected, move to Donald Trump’s golf course just outside Aberdeen in 2017, had come from the chief executive of the event’s key sponsor.  Trump has come under severe criticism for offensive comments made in the United States about Mexicans. The businessman accused Mexico of deliberately sending criminals across the border to harm Americans. “These people wreak havoc on our population,” he said in Las Vegas. His stance causes an obvious problem for golf, with several high-profile tournaments hosted by properties which Trump owns.  The situation is even more delicate in Scotland, because of the country’s government being a co-sponsor of the European Tour event to the tune of more than £1m per year. Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, was present at Gullane for the tournament’s final round.  Trump announced last month that his international golf links would host the Scottish Open from 2017. There is already a commitment to return to Castle Stuart, on the outskirts of Inverness, for 2016. “The Scottish Open wants to be here permanently,” said Trump of his Aberdeen site. “They think this is the best course they have ever seen.”  Not only has the European Tour never confirmed Trump’s remarks but Martin Gilbert, the chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, spoke on Sunday of another plan entirely.  “Yes, we are,” said Gilbert when asked if his firm was content with the policy of changing venue year on year. “We have committed to go to the west coast of Scotland, so the next challenge is finding the equivalent of Gullane on the west coast.  “There are some great courses on the west coast but we have got to be careful about which ones we select, that they are inclusive and, really, a bit like here; accessible to everyone. Finding the right balance is the tricky part of selecting a golf course.”  By obvious geographical inference, this discounts the Trump course.  Luke Donald was content with a share of seventh at nine under. After a rough spell, the Englishman heads to St Andrews in fine spirits.  “It has been a great week,” said the former world No1. “This was perfect preparation for next week and the Open. I’m happy with my play, with my form. This was the second successive tournament where I wasn’t out of the 60s in scoring so I am happy about that.  “I have heard St Andrews is even softer, so that’s a lot different to what we have been used to seeing. It is normally firmer and baked out. I am looking forward to it. Who doesn’t love an Open at St Andrews? There will be a lot of buzz around there, a lot of atmosphere, and I am looking forward to being a part of it.”
The American Ryder Cup player Rickie Fowler said he was looking forward to the Open at St Andrews starting on Thursday after winning the Scottish Open at Gullane