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Preview: 2025 US PGA TOUR/ DP World Tour Rolex Series Genesis Scottish Open The Renaissance Club, Dirleton, North Berwick

Big-time golf took a bit of a breather last week, with both the John Deere Classic and BMW International Open attracting relatively non-descript fields. Brian Campbell won his 2nd US PGA Tour event of the year in what has been the ultimate boom-or-bust campaign (he has finished outside the top 30 in every event outside of his two victories).

Big-time golf took a bit of a breather last week, with both the John Deere Classic and BMW International Open attracting relatively non-descript fields. Brian Campbell won his 2nd US PGA Tour event of the year in what has been the ultimate boom-or-bust campaign (he has finished outside the top 30 in every event outside of his two victories).

Jamie Moore's Diary - jockey talks Goshen and Ascot rides

2025 US PGA TOUR/ DP World Tour
Rolex Series
Genesis Scottish Open
The Renaissance Club, Dirleton, North Berwick
10th-13th July

Campbell’s win was enough to earn him a spot at next week’s Open Championship. Elsewhere, Daniel Brown earned an extremely emotional win at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried, picking up his 2nd career title a week after the death of a dear friend. This week, the two grand tours join forces to host two concurrent events: The Scottish Open and Isco Championship. The Scottish Open is essentially an Open Championship appetizer, with many of the US PGA Tour’s biggest stars accompanying the European elite in a quest to sharpen their collective links skillset. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler has won three of his last six events and will go into this as an understandable favourite. World No.2 Rory McIlroy has been standoffish since completing the career Grand Slam and may be looking to rehabilitate his image during these two weeks of feverish links action.

The first two editions of the Scottish Open were staged in 1935 and 1936. There was a significant gap until the 3rd edition was played in 1972. Two years following that, the event disappeared completely from the European roster. It was reintroduced to the DP World Tour in 1986 and has been an ever-present on the tour since. This event was elevated to Rolex Series status in 2017 and received another upgrade in 2022, with the US PGA Tour stepping up to co-sanction the event alongside the DP World Tour (in what was essentially a sign of solidarity against the rise of LIV). The top US PGA Tour players are not only using this as preparation for Royal Portrush: there are FedEx Cup points at stake. The Scottish Open has been the Open Championship precursor for many years and it has been staged on a traditional links layout since 2011. This will be the 7th consecutive Scottish Open hosted at the visually spectacular Renaissance Club.

Designed by Tom Doak and opened as recently as 2008, the Renaissance Club is located near esteemed Open venue Muirfield. Significant changes were made just five years after it’s opening, with the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers organizing a land swap resulting in three new holes. There are now several holes that hug the coastline, showcasing some dramatic vistas of the Firth of Forth. The Renaissance Club was formerly a par 70 but changes were made to the layout prior to the 2022 renewal. The 7th hole used to play as a 561-yard par 5 but was transformed into a beastly 505-yard par 4. This is a true coastal links that will be subject to prevailing weather conditions (Schauffele won in seven-under-par in blustery conditions back in 2022). It was quite benign last year and MacIntyre managed to win in 18-under-par. As always with links tests, look for players with strong links form who have the ability to hit their irons at lower trajectories.

As I noted earlier, World No.1 Scottie Scheffler has won three of his last six starts. He also finished 3rd here last year and must be respected every time he tees it up. McIlroy did look more competitive at the recent Travelers but has intimated that this week will be little more than a dress rehearsal for Royal Portrush (where he will so dearly want to claim that elusive 2nd Claret Jug). He has struggled for motivation since Augusta, and he may be one to swerve this week. Tommy Fleetwood has always thrived on links layouts but just can’t seem to get the job done in high-pressure scenarios (Ryder Cup aside). Collin Morikawa is going through caddies like candy while Schauffele is yet to truly reignite following his injury layoff. Padraig Harrington will no doubt enjoy plenty of support after his senior US Open victory. Elsewhere, the likes of Ludvig Aberg and Justin Thomas will be looking to make a statement ahead of Royal Portrush.

Past Winners
2024: Robert MacIntyre (-18)
2023: Rory McIlroy (-15)
2022: Xander Schauffele (-7)
2021: Min Woo Lee (-18) *playoff
2020: Aaron Rai (-11) *playoff
2019: Bernd Wiesberger (-22) *playoff

Betting Favourites (To Win): Scottie Scheffler (4/1), Rory McIlroy (15/2), Tommy Fleetwood (18/1), Collin Morikawa (20/1), Xander Schauffele (22/1)

Value Bets

Adam Scott- To Win (45/1)

Adam Scott could be a nice sleeper option this week. Scott recently challenged for a 2nd Major title, ultimately finishing in a tie for 12th after a chaotic final round at the US Open (Oakmont was a beast). Scott is a true links aficionado, finishing runner-up here last season. He also has an impressive Open Championship portfolio, picking up six top tens throughout his career (including that heartbreaking runner-up finish at Royal Lytham back in 2012). Scott understands these conditions and could be a solid mid-range pick.

Ryan Fox- To Win (60/1)

Ryan Fox has enjoyed a fantastic season on the PGA Tour, winning at the Myrtle Beach Classic and RBC Canadian Open. Interestingly, both of those wins came the week before a Major Championship. Can he pull off a pre-Major threepeat this week? Fox has always played well in windy conditions, winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship a few years back. He knows what it takes to win at this level, claiming last year’s Rolex Series event at Wentworth. He was 19th at the US Open and 17th at the Travelers. Perhaps more crucially, he ranked 4th and 7th for SG: Putting in his last two outings.

The Man to Beat- Robert MacIntyre- To Win (25/1)

I think MacIntyre could make it back-to-back Scottish Open wins. There are several players- outside of Scheffler- who are struggling towards the top of the market: Fleetwood can’t seem to win; McIlroy appears disinterested; Morikawa is changing caddies with gleeful abandon. MacIntyre has been immense at Renaissance these past two years, agonizingly missing out to McIlroy in 2023 before claiming last year’s title. He also appears to be rounding into form, finishing runner-up at Oakmont before finishing in a tie for 17th at the Travelers.

Jamie Moore's Diary - jockey talks Goshen and Ascot rides
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