Real Madrid legend joins golf stars at Scottish Open

Head and shoulders shot of a smiling Raul Gonzalez. He is wearing a white polo shirt and a white cap with black writing on itGetty Images

Three-time Champions League winner Raúl González made 550 appearances for Real Madrid from 1994 to 2010

Real Madrid legend Raúl González is among a host of celebrities who have taken part in the Scottish Open pro-am, on the eve of the tournament at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick.

Some of the world's top golfers are in Scotland for the event, near Edinburgh, which will be followed by the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

They include Masters champion Rory McIlroy, world number one Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Robert MacIntyre, who last month finished runner-up in the US Open.

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and major champions Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Adam Scott and Padraig Harrington are also in field.

Raúl, who won three Champions League titles with the Spanish giants, played alongside former Celtic captain Scott Brown and ex-Rangers defender Steven Whittaker.

Now in its fourth year as a PGA Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned event, the Scottish Open boasts a total purse of of $9m (£6.6m) – around $1.5m (£1.1m) of which goes to the winner.

More than 76,000 golf fans attended the four-day tournament last year and a recent analysis found it delivered a net economic impact of £19.2m to the Scottish economy.

Rory McIlroy, who is wearing a grey round neck jumper and a silver baseball cap poses with a smiling young golf fan. The boy is wearing a tracksuit top and is giving a thumbs up to the cameraPA Media

Rory McIlroy, who clinched the career Grand Slam with his Masters win in April, poses for a picture with a young fan

Scott Brown, who is wearing a maroon polo shirt and dark grey shorts, walks along the fairway carrying his putter. A caddy, wearing a long sleeved grey top is walking to his right carrying a black golf bag. He is also wearing a silver cap. Getty Images

Former Celtic and Scotland captain Scott Brown was among the ex-footballers who took part in the pro-am

Head and shoulders shot of a smiling Robert MacIntyre. He is wearing a dark blue polo shirt and white baseball cap. Getty Images

Oban's Robert MacIntyre returns home to defend his title, a month after he finished runner-up in the US Open at Oakmont, Pennsylvania

Steven Whittaker, pictured at the top of his back swing, tees off on the second hole during the pro-am. Houses can be seen in the blurred background ahead. He is wearing a white polo shirt, blue trousers and white golf shoes.Getty Images

Ex-Scotland, Rangers and Hibs defender Steven Whittaker tees off on the second hole

Close up of a small green model car on top of a black base which has Genesis written on itPA Media

The tournament sponsors have laid on distinctive tee markers for the tournament, which starts on Thursday and concludes on Sunday

Luke Donald photographed side on holding a pair of sunglasses in front of his face. He is wearing a white and maroon polo shirt. Donald has short greying blond hair which is visible above his white visor. Getty Images

Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald said the Scottish Open and next week's Open championship represent "the two biggest weeks" before qualification ends for the biennial contest against the US in September

Padraig Harrington rolls a putt on the 13th green during the pro-am. He is wearing a navy cap, white and navy polo shirt, navy trousers and white golf shoes. A white lighthouse is visible on a rock in the background.Getty Images

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington putts on the 13th green during the pro-am

A young fan, whose face is not visible, holds a giant autographed golf ball. He is wearing a light blue golf jacket with patterned sleeves. Getty Images

A young fan holds a giant signed golf ball as he waits to secure more signatures

Matt Fitzpatrick of England putts on the 13th green during the pro-am prior with the beach and the North Sea in the background. He is wearing a white cap and jumper, grey trousers and white golf shoes. He is a small figure in the bottom left of the picture, which focuses on the background sceneryGetty Images

Former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick putts on the 13th green, with the North Sea in the background, during the pro-am

Adam Scott watches his golf ball soar into the distance after teeing off with his driver. He is wearing a light brown jumper and a dark grey baseball cap Getty Images

Australia's Adam Scott, who won the Masters in 2013, will play alongside Scotland's Robert MacIntyre for the first two rounds

Close up of a white golf ball with four distinctive triangle pen markings. A blurred white golf shoe, with orange soles, is blurred in the foreground Getty Images

A close up of Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood's distinctively marked ball

Scottie Scheffler pictured holding his driver aloft after teeing off. A small number of fans on either side follow the flight of the ball. Scheffler is wearing a grey hoodie, navy trousers, a white hat and white shoes.Getty Images

World number one and reigning US PGA champion Scottie Scheffler tees off on the 11th hole during the pro-am

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre and Robyn Stewart pose in front of a large stand which has a poster informing people that it has been dedicated to Scott Stewart who died of MND in December 2024. It features two photographs of Mr Stewart and three paragraphs of text background about him. The description mentions his love of golf and notes that he died from the condition in December last year. PA Media

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre and Robyn Stewart in front of a stand dedicated to Ms Stewart's husband, Scott. The avid golf fan died in December, a year after he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease

A lone golfer, photographed side-on, walks along the fairway past a Hollywood-style Scotland sign. A blue sky is visible in the background.PA Media

The par-70 Renaissance Club, opened in 2007, has staged the Scottish Open for the past six years

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