A star-studded field will make its way to The Renaissance Club for the Scottish open this week as the European Tour field prepares for the Open Championship.
2021 European Tour
Rolex Series
Aberdeen Investments Scottish Open
The Renaissance Club, Dirleton, North Berwick
8th-11th July
Lucas Herbert was exceptional in last week’s Irish Open, helping Australia claim an impressive double victory as Cam Davies captured the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. The tour will now receive a healthy dose of razzmatazz ahead of next week’s Open Championship, with many of the world’s best players angling to finesse their links skills in this Rolex Series event. The Scottish Open was first staged in 1935 but it only became a regular tour fixture in 1986. Now one of the tour’s richest tournaments, the Scottish Open is the traditional preceding event to the Open Championship. Since 2011 it has been staged on a traditional links set-up to allow for ideal acclimatization ahead of the Open. This week should offer a fascinating glimpse into some potential contenders for the year’s final Major. This week will also mark the return to action of US Open Champion Jon Rahm.
Situated on Muirfield’s doorstep, the Renaissance Club will be hosting the Scottish Open for the 3rd consecutive year. This Tom Doak design is a true links gem. This coastal links course seems more like a natural phenomenon than an artificial creation. Opened as recently as 2008, this course actually connects to the coastline, offering stunning views of the Firth of Forth below. The course played fairly easy in the first edition, with Bernd Wiesberger seeing off Benjamin Herbert in an extended playoff, with both players finishing on 22-under par. The course was lengthened by over 200 yards prior to last year’s edition, with some of the fairways significantly narrowed. This certainly helped to curtail the scoring. There is also some weather expected this year. So, I don’t think we will be bothering the 20 under mark this time around. Previous links form is always a huge factor in this event. Also look for players who can hit the ball at slightly lower trajectories.
US Open Champion Jon Rahm will be making his long-awaited return to action following his heroics at Torrey Pines. Rahm is a fabulous links exponent, twice winning the Irish Open on these rugged layouts. But I think I may swerve him at these odds, especially on debut at the Renaissance Club. Rory McIlroy will be looking for some momentum after a desperately disappointing appearance in his home country. Xander Schauffele has shown an affinity for links golf, finishing in a tie for 2nd at Carnoustie in 2018. The likes of Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa will inject some real quality into this field. Tyrell Hatton will look to rediscover his putting prowess after a disappointing missed cut at the US Open.
Past Winners
2020: Aaron Rai (-11) *playoff
2019: Bernd Wiesberger (-22) *playoff
2018: Brandon Stone (-20)
2017: Rafa Cabrera Bello (-13) *playoff
2016: Alex Noren (-14)
To Win Outright:
Jon Rahm 8/1
Xander Schauffele 12/1
Collin Morikawa 14/1
Rory McIlroy 14/1
Justin Thomas 18/1
Value Bets
Tyrell Hatton- To Win 20/1 | To Place 44/10
I have opted for a few heavy hitters towards the upper reaches of the market. Jon Rahm’s short price has actually made this play more sensible. Tyrell Hatton has had two top 10 finishes in his four PGA Tour events. That includes a tie for 2nd at the Palmetto Championship (his putting seriously let him down that Sunday). But he can’t be ignored at 20/1, especially when you look at his devastating links credentials. He won back-to-back Alfred Dunhill Links Championships in 2016 and 2017. He also finished 2nd in the 2016 Scottish Open.
Matthew Jordan- To Win 175/1 | To Place 38/1
Challenge Tour champion Matthew Jordan is a links natural who could surprise you this weekend. He won the St Andrews Links Trophy and Lytham Trophy as an amateur. He also shot a first-round 63 at the 2019 British Masters, ultimately settling for 15th place. He also finished 5th at the Dunhill Links. He has also looked quite compelling in his last two starts, finishing 17th at the BMW prior to a 12th at the Irish Open. He could be a nice outside bet in the place markets.
The Man to Beat- Justin Thomas: To Win 18/1 | To Place 39/10
Despite winning the Players Championship earlier this year, Justin Thomas is lurking quite far under the radar at present. He was well in the hunt on Sunday at Torrey Pines. That is until a disastrous tee shot at the 10th scuppered any chance of victory. But he has been playing some solid golf of late, making nine of his last ten cuts. He just hasn’t been vintage JT. But he is never far away from finding his game and he already has a top 10 finish on this course: he finished in a tie for 9th here in 2019.
