Xander Schauffele navigated the co-sanctioned field and the weather from the Firth of Forth to pick up the trophy last season. He’s back to defend his title before the season’s final major next week.
Genesis Scottish Open
The Renaissance Club
North Berwick, Scotland
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NOW PLAYING:
The shift in gears from 25-under to surviving the UK summer starts in earnest this week in Scotland.
The Renaissance Club was Tom Doak’s first creation for tournament golf. Opening for play in 2008, the piece of property adjacent to Muirfield (yes, THAT one) features ancient woodlands with Scottish pines, sand dunes, cliffs, and all of the weather that comes with being located on the Firth of Forth.
Hosting for the event for the fifth consecutive season, the track played as the most difficult (non-major) Par-70 last season and the fifth most difficult course (all categories).
Regardless of the weather, tight driving conditions face the players on most holes. Undulating fescue putting surfaces will provide the final challenge if GIR is achieved.
Doak’s challenge involves where NOT to miss. Playing from the rough will demand execution and a safety-first mindset. Being on the wrong side of the hole at or on the green is trouble.
Bogeys will be made. Wind will blow. Scores around par will be rewarded.
I’m looking for guys this week and next who embrace the challenges.
| Host Course | The Renaissance Club |
| Yards (per official scorecard): | 7,237. |
| Par: | 70 (35-35). Since 2022. |
| Greens: | Fescue. |
| Stimpmeter: | 12 feet. |
| Rough: | Fescue mix at 2.5 inches. |
| Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play | Links course. |
| Architect(s): | Tom Doak(2008). |
| Purse (2022): | $9 million; $1.62 million winner plus 500 FedExCup points. |
| Defending Champion (event): | Xander Schauffele |
| Multiple Champion(s) Entered: | None. |
| Course Record (last): | 61; Cam Tringale (not entered; 2022, Round 1). |
| 72 Hole Tournament Record: | 262 (-22); Bernd Wieseberger (not entered; 2019 as Par-71). |
| Oldest Winner (most recent): | 33; Bernd Wiesberger, 2019. |
| Youngest Winner (event): | 22; Min Woo Lee, 2021. |
| Fact of the Week: | Second year of co-sanctioned event. Half of the field PGA TOUR and the other half DP World Tour. |
| Fact of the Week II: | Just the second year as Par-70. |
Notes:
- Field of 156 players contains 20 of the top 30 OWGR.
- Top 65and ties will play the final 36 holes.
Season Winners
2022-2023 Season Winners
| Event | Winner |
| Fortinet Championship | Max Homa |
| Sanderson Farms Championship | Mackenzie Holmes |
| Shriners Children’s Open | Tom Kim |
| ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP | Keegan Bradley |
| CJ CUP at CONGAREE | Rory McIlroy |
| Butterfield Bermuda Championship | Seamus Power |
| Mayakoba Championship | Russell Henley |
| Cadence Bank Houston Open | Tony Finau |
| The RSM Classic | Adam Svensson (first TOUR win) |
| Sentry Tournament of Champions | Jon Rahm |
| Sony Open in Hawaii | Si Woo Kim |
| The AMERICAN EXPRESS | Jon Rahm (2) |
| Farmers Insurance Open | Max Homa (2) |
| AT&T Pebble Beach | Justin Rose |
| WM Phoenix Open | Scottie Scheffler |
| The Genesis Invitational | Jon Rahm (3) |
| The Honda Classic | Chris Kirk |
| Arnold Palmer Invitational | Kurt Kitayama (first TOUR win) |
| THE PLAYERS Championship | Scottie Scheffler (2) |
| Valspar Championship | Taylor Moore (first TOUR win) |
| Corales Puntacana | Matt Wallace (first TOUR win) |
| WGC – Dell Technologies MP | Sam Burns |
| Valero Texas Open | Corey Conners |
| Masters | Jon Rahm (4) |
| RBC Heritage | Matt Fitzpatrick |
| Zurich Classic of New Orleans | Davis Riley & Nick Hardy (first TOUR win for each) |
| Mexico Open at Vidanta | Tony Finau (2) |
| Wells Fargo Championship | Wyndham Clark (first TOUR win) |
| AT&T Byron Nelson | Jason Day |
| PGA Championship | Brooks Koepka |
| Charles Schwab Challenge | Emiliano Grillo |
| Memorial | Viktor Hovland |
| RBC Canadian Open | Nick Taylor |
| U.S. Open | Wyndham Clark (2) |
| Travelers Championship | Keegan Bradley (2) |
| Rocket Mortgage Classic | Rickie Fowler |
| John Deere Classic | Sepp Straka |
Recent Winners – Genesis Scottish Open
Italics – not entered this week
| Year | Winner | Notes |
| 2022 | Xander Schauffele (-7) | Posted 65-66 in the middle and won by a shot. |
| 2021 | Min Woo Lee (-18) | Held off Matt Fitzpatrick and Thomas Detry in a playoff. |
| 2020 | Aaron Rai (-11) | Closed with 64 (-7) to force and then win a playoff over Tommy Fleetwood. |
| 2019 | Bernd Wieseberger (-22) | Set the tournament scoring record in the first edition at The Renaissance Club. |
This Week – Genesis Scottish Open
Chalk (via Bet365.com)
If Scottie Scheffler (7/1) is in the field, he resides in the pre-tournament penthouse. The last time we saw the Texan was at TPC River Highlands, the week after the U.S. Open, signing for another top five payday (T4). His streak is now six straight inside the top five and 17 consecutive finishes T12 or better. Making his third-consecutive appearance in the land where the game was invented, the world No. 1 will look to improve on MC-T12 on his last two visits.
Second choice this week falls to world No. 3 Rory McIlroy (9/1). The Ulsterman has been as hot as the weather, cashing in the top 10 in his last five starts. Next week will be the ninth anniversary of his victory at Royal Liverpool, but there’s work to do at North Berwick. After T34 in 2019 on his debut he returned in 2021 and went home early. His driver will set the pace this week.
The reigning champion Xander Schauffele (14/1) arrived last season fresh off a victory at TPC River Highlands in his previous start. Showing his ability to navigate the tough conditions and breezes, he posted two of the three best rounds of the week. The tougher the challenge, the more Schauffele shines. Check his U.S. Open record!
Patrick Cantlay (14/1)added this event last season, and it is not a surprise to see him return. Posting all four rounds at 70 or better, he signed for T4 and was T5 GIR. Leading the TOUR in Total Driving, he also ranks in the top five in SG: Off the Tee and SG: Tee to Green. The only surprise this week would be if he was not in contention.
Rickie Fowler (16/1) kicked down the door at the Rocket Mortgage Classic for his first victory since February of 2019 at the WM Phoenix Open. Winning the playoff in Detroit continued his fantastic run of form. In his last five events he’s painted the top 13, and four of those have gone for a top 10. Over his last 15 events he’s cashed T25 or better 12 times. His second visit follows opening with 69-69 for T47 last year. A super wind player and a fantastic putter he should be in your staking plans this week.
Top 10/Top 20/Top 40
Tyrrell Hatton (18/1) enjoys a proper grind because he’s an excellent putter and can handle tough, breezy conditions off the tee. His victory at Bay Hill in 2020 came on 4-under on a brutal layout. The Englishman has posted three top 24 finishes in his last three visits.
Tommy Fleetwood (20/1) posted T4 here last year preceded T4 at The Old Course for the 150th Open Championship.Sitting in the top 35 in all of the Strokes-Gained metrics, he should be in contention more often. Missing the cut in his last event in the States, don’t forget he cashed T5 at the U.S. Open after going close (P2) in Canada. Too many clues.
Shane Lowry (30/1) continues the theme of players from this part of the world who have excelled in less-than-ideal conditions. The Irishman has cashed T20 or better in four of his last five on TOUR but hasn’t found the top 10. He’s not required to play this week but is here for the first time.
Longer Shots
Use ’em wherever you see fit! All players listed are +20000 or worse and are for a reason or two!
Aaron Rai (66/1): The 2020 champion from October has been in blistering form in the States. With top-10 paydays in two of his last three starts he should be excited to show off his form in his part of the world.
Adrian Meronk (80/1): Finds too many fairways and just as many greens! Winner at the Italian Open earlier this season, he’s added T5, T3 and T15 in three of his last five starts in Europe.
Alexander Bjork (110/1): In his last eight starts, he cashed in the top 10 seven times. He’ll be looking forward to cashing his fifth weekend of five visits to North Berwick. What am I missing?
Kevin Yu (225/1): T3 in Bermuda. T7 at Pebble Beach. T6 last week at JDC. SUPERB ball-striker.
Last Week – John Deere Classic
Chalk (via Bet365.com)
Denny McCarthy (14/1) is perched at the top this week even though he’s yet to win on TOUR in his career. He stood toe-to-toe with Viktor Hovland at the Memorial before falling in a playoff. Never daunted, he signed for T20 at the U.S. Open before racking up another top-10 finish (T7) at the Travelers Championship. A super putter, holing out on the perfect Bentgrass surfaces this week should be right up his alley. Scoring is required this week and he will remind you he opened with 60 in his last event at TPC River Highlands. Last year he posted 16-under thru 54 holes and played from the penultimate group on Sunday before cashing T6. This year he posted 15-under and played in the final group, shot 70 and also cashed T6.
Russell Henley (16/1) has already proven his ability to go low at TPC Deere Run with his 61 to close in 2019. Claiming solo second that season, he returned in 2021 and missed another top-10 payoff by just one shot, cashing T11. Henley is no stranger to making tons of birdies, one of the few requirements this week. Rolling into town on the back of four consecutive finishes of T19 or better, his only 2023 top 10 was T4 on Bentgrass at the Masters. T35 with nothing lower than 67.
This time last season Cameron Young (18/1) was a regular feature on the podium. Flash forward to this season, and he’s grinding to find a way back into the top 10. The last time we saw him in the top 10 was T7 at the Masters. I like that he’s giving TPC Deere Run a shot as his ball-striking prowess should create tons of scoring opportunities. Who doesn’t like having to circle a ton of birdies? Opened 65-64 and we thought the first win was on the way. Doubled 18 on Saturday for 71 and made another bogey on Sunday to end up T6.
After turning pro in early June, former world No. 1 amateur Ludvig Aberg (25/1) hasn’t been bothered by the direct deposits after the conclusion of play each week he was entered. The Swede has played five events, two as an amateur and three as a pro, and has been around on Sunday for all five. After turning pro in early June, he’s cashed T25 at RBC Canadian Open, T24 at the Travelers Championship, and T40 last week in Detroit at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The clues are in there, folks, as he’s posted 67 or better in five of his last eight rounds. He would join Dylan Frittelli in 2019 and Sean O’Hair in 2005 to win on their first visit to the event. Career-best finish of T4 after 64 in Round 2 and 63 to close.
Canadian Adam Hadwin (28/1) looks to join his four fellow countrymen in the winner’s circle this season. Losing in a playoff last week after posting 24-under suggests he’s ready to take the next step.Ready to take the next step to alternate status at The Open Championship. MC.
After a solid West Coast Swing with paydays of T22, T4, and solo fifth, Keith Mitchell (28/1)finally returned to the top 25 in his last event, the U.S. Open, on the West Coast! If risk/reward off the tee this week is in play, I’ll remind you he’s ranked second in Total Driving and fifth in SG: Off the Tee. Making his third visit, he cashed T7 in 2018 while MC in 2021. T42 included 73 in Round 3. Can’t do that here, rain or shine.
Taylor Moore (28/1) will look to add his second title of the season this week after winning the Valspar Championship, his first on TOUR, in March. His game was sharp last week in Detroit as he pocketed T4 money after opening with 64, the best round on his own ball this season. The key to his victory at Valspar was holing 64 putts from 64 chances inside of seven feet. Two rounds of 70 (-2) wasn’t enough for the weekend. MC.
Emiliano Grillo (28/1) shared second place last year on his tournament debut, leading the field in GIR. This year he rolls in with a playoff victory at Colonial to snap a winless drought that stretched back to 2015 and his first start on TOUR with full playing privileges. His current streak is five of eight T23 or better, with three inside the top 10. MC 69-71. Not bad. Just not good enough.
Top 10/Top 20/Top 40
Adam Schenk (30/1) has gone close twice this season, losing in a playoff at Colonial to Grillo and being outlasted by only Moore at Valspar. Bouncing back with T7 at Memorial after the playoff loss showed me what I needed to know. Last week he was one of seven players to produce 20-under or better in Detroit so he’s ready for another shootout this week. Battled to the end for T4, his third top 10 here.
Eric Cole (33/1) hasn’t been bothered by any success he’s found in his first year on TOUR. The only paycheck he’s collected outside the top 25 in his last nine starts was T39 at the U.S. Open. The highlight of seven paydays from his last nine starts was T5 in Mexico. His putter is top 20 and he’s top 25 SG: Total. Needed a big Sunday to move up. Posted 71 and disappeared to T42.
Cashing in his last eight and 12 of 13 pronouncing Stephan Jaeger (33/1)to be on a HEATER is quite obvious. The best of the bunch was T9 last week in Detroit, a perfect warm-up for this week. Ranking 16th in GIR, nobody on TOUR has made more birdies this season. Asking him to circle a few more this week should excite him. Followed Detroit with four more rounds in the 60s for T13. Super season for him.
Former champions Lucas Glover (66/1) and Michael Kim (70/1) are in-form and know their way around this place. Glover picked up his second top 10 (T6) in consecutive weeks while Kim MC (-2).
Longer Shots
Use ’em wherever you see fit! All players listed are +20000 or worse and are for a reason or two!
Kevin Streelman (100/1): Grew up in the Chicago suburbs and has posted half of his six paydays in the top 10. Posted 63 in Round 2 but that was the only round in the 60s. T51.
Zach Johnson (125/1): If the magic is going to happen, it’s going to be this week at his most cherished non-major event. Made the cut in his last 14 visits. Found the magic to make the cut on Friday after opening with 72. T35.
Patton Kizzire (150/1): Never missed the weekend from four chances, all T30 or better, but nothing in the top 10. Streak snapped. Not even living in the “Frat House” with the eventual winner could save him. MC.
William Mouw (225/1): Plenty of up-and-comers populate this field annually. The Pepperdine grad turned pro in early June and has played four events on the Korn Ferry Tour. He’s 57-under and has posted 14 of 16 rounds in the 60s. His worst round is 70, twice. His best finish was T17 last week in Kansas City. No chance he’s intimidated by having to make a bunch of birdies. That’s life on the KFT. He wasn’t intimidated! Four rounds in the 60s for T13 and a very nice payday!
OAD – 2023 Spotter’s Game
| Already Burned |
| Sungjae Im – Maui |
| Tom Kim – Sony |
| Tom Hoge – AMEX |
| Viktor Hovland – Pebble |
| Xander Schauffele – WMPO |
| Max Homa – Riviera |
| Shane Lowry – Honda |
| Tyrrell Hatton – API |
| Akshay Bhatia – PRO |
| Jason Day – THE PLAYERS |
| Justin Rose – Valspar |
| Cam Percy – Corales |
| Scottie Scheffler – WGC MP |
| Rickie Fowler – Valero |
| Jordan Spieth – Masters |
| Collin Morikawa – RBC Heritage |
| Billy Horschel – Zurich |
| Nicolai Hojgaard – Mexico |
| Rory McIlroy – WFC |
| Adam Scott – ATTBN |
| Brooks Koepka – PGA Championship |
| Chris Kirk – Colonial |
| Patrick Cantlay – Memorial |
| Matt Fitzpatrick – RBC CO |
| Jon Rahm – US Open |
| Harris English – Travelers |
| Davis Riley – RMC |
| Adam Schenk – JDC |
This Week – Genesis Scottish Open
Tommy Fleetwood
Couldn’t defeat Nick Taylor and the entire crowd in Canada in a playoff. Posted another 63 in the U.S. Open the following week in Los Angeles. Should be fresh and ready to embrace links golf in his part of the world. I’d read HFC if you need more ammo.
Just missed: Aaron Rai, Robert MacIntyre, Thomas Detry, Alexander Bjork
You can find my selections for Barbasol here.
Last Week – John Deere Classic
Adam Schenk – T6
Midwest dude. New baby. Course form. Recent form.
It’s a simple formula again for me this week.
Just missed: Denny McCarthy – T6, Emiliano Grillo – MC, Nick Taylor – MC, Patrick Rodgers – MC
For once, I got it “right”.
Glass Houses 