Scotland has been at the forefront of the news for much of the past month. From the referendum results to the historic R&A decision to allow female members, our neighbours up north have been garnering quite a bit of attention as of late.
Now the 40th Ryder Cup has come to Gleneagles and it's already shaping up to be an action-packed show at the "home of golf".
Check out GolfOnline's top five reasons you can't afford to miss the golfing battle about to take place.
1. Our Team's Better than Yours
The trash talk has already begun. With the U.S. captain, Tom Watson stating his team will be zeroing in on world number 1 Rory McIlroy and Europe's Ryder Cup golden boy, Ian Poulter, who was an inspiration to the team during the 2012 battle at Medinah.
"When you beat the stud on the other side, it gives a boost to your team, Watson said earlier this week. "Poulter, he's an 80% victor over the matches he has played in. We would like to reduce that."
Phil Mickelson has also had a swipe at McIlroy. When talking about his teams morale the Callaway player told reporters on Wednesday, "Not only are we able to play together, we also don't litigate against each other and that's a real plus, I feel, heading into this week."
The gentle swipe from Mickelson refers to McIlroy's current legal battle with his former management company that also involves the Northern Irishman's team mate Graeme McDowell.
But it seems McIlroy is taking the heat in stride and looking to use it to his advantage.
"Any time the opposition starts to talk about you, that's a huge compliment," said the 25-year-old. " It gives me a little bit of a boost to try and go out there and play well."
Let the games begin!
2. The Americans are Out for Revenge
Tom Watson has called this Ryder Cup the U.S. Team's chance at "redemption". After suffering a crushing defeat two year's ago at Medinah, we're pretty sure the American Team are thinking more along the lines of revenge after having the cup ripped from their grasp on the final day in Chicago.
As the Americans look to capture their first win on European soil in 21 years, the Europeans hope to be able to draw on inspiration from their last two victories to ensure their competitors go home defeated.
3. Its no Shoe in
If we learned one thing from Medinah it's that anything can happen during the Ryder Cup, even up to the last match. While the European's are heading into Gleneagles as the favourites, it be no means is a given they will be the victors come Sunday. A fact even their captain Paul McGinley has conceded.
With the Irishman stating, "It is going to be very, very difficult to win this Ryder Cup. I think we've got a slightly different threat from America than we've had in the past as far as they really feel like they are underdogs and they are up against it." Adding, "We've seen that in the past, certainly from a European perspective, how not being on form can really galvanize a team."
4. No Tiger, No Problem
If you're thinking a Tiger-less Ryder Cup isn't worth watching, you couldn't be more wrong. The truth is Tiger Woods' Ryder Cup record isn't all that stellar. In the seven Ryder Cups Woods has been a part of his team has only won once. While the Americans last victory in 2008 came without the help of the Nike superstar, who missed the action at Valhalla due to injury.
Without Woods, veteran Phil Mickelson looks to be taking the role of leader on the U.S. Team. A position he seems all too happy to occupy. So will a Tiger-free environment be the catalyst the Americans need to win?
5. The Good, The Bad and the Downright Ugly Golf Gear
Call us superficial but the uniforms throughout the weekend always prove to be a big draw. Whether you love them or hate them (remember the Americans winning shirts in 1999?) we can't wait to see what the teams are sporting around Gleneagles.
The U.S. Team has already released photos of their outfits designed by Ralph Lauren. While Team Europe has kept their style mostly under wraps. With England's Ian Poulter giving us a slight sneak peek in a recent Tweet.
