The DP World Tour returns after a two-week hiatus for the penultimate event of the Closing Swing: the NEXO Championship.
2025 DP World Tour
NEXO Championship
Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
7th-10th August
The Back Nine will begin in two weeks’ time, with the Belfry poised to host the latest edition of the British Masters. This may look like a brand-new event but is actually a reimagining of the Scottish Championship, an event which was held just once back in 2020 (with Adrian Otaegui emerging victorious). In fact, the Spaniard will be in the field this week to potentially defend his title after five years. The Scottish Championship was hosted at Fairmont St Andrews, with Otaegui holding off Matt Wallace to win in 23-under-par. This year’s event will be hosted at the rather spectacular Trump International Golf Links.
Yes, I know. That T-word does have a certain jarring tone to it (especially in Scotland, where many locals have looked down on his golf course development overt the years). But you can’t deny the majesty of this modern links. Trump International was opened as recently as 2012, sprouting from the brilliant golfing mind of links specialist Martin Hawtree. Set off the east coast of Scotland, Trump International is a visually stunning layout that features panoramic views of the nearby North Sea. The fairways are a blend of fescue and rough while the rough consists of gnarly marram grass. Bo van Pelt won last week’s PGA Seniors Championship in a score of 3-under-par (only he and fellow playoff contender Darren Fichardt finished the event under-par). This is a course that will reward strong links exponents (look for players who have thrived in recent editions of the Open, Scottish Open and Alfred Dunhill Links). Storm Floris will batter the UK in the early part of the week, putting even more of an onus on strong wind play.
This week’s DP World Tour lineup is typical of recent outings. Many in-form Race-to-Dubai candidates will be in action while the true elite European golfers fight for glory Stateside. Marco Penge currently sits 4th in the Race to Dubai standings and will go off as the favourite this week. The Englishman could wrap up the Closing Swing title with victory this week. Consistent ball-striker Jordan Smith is just behind in the betting markets while Kristoffer Reitan sits just one place behind Penge in the Race-to-Dubai standings. There will be a strong Scottish contingent this week, with both Calum Hill and Connor Syme looking to win their 2nd titles of the season. Elsewhere, links specialists such as Matthew Jordan and Dnaiel Brown will look to shine.
Past Winners
2021-2024: no DP World Tour event
2020: Adrian Otaegui (-23)
PGA Seniors Championship Winners at Trump International
2025: Bo van Pelt (-3) *playoff
2024: Robert Coles (-4)
2023: Peter Baker (-12)
Betting Favourites (To Win): Marco Penge (12/1), Jordan Smith (16/1), Kristoffer Reitan (18/1), Ewen Ferguson (22/1), Francesco Laporta (25/1)
Value Bets
Eugenio Chacarra- To Win (35/1)
Former LIV golfer Eugenio Chacarra won his first DP World title in India this year and could do with a solid result this week. Currently ranked 20th in the Race to Dubai standings, victory in this event could put him in a solid position to push for a PGA Tour card. He has enjoyed some success in this part of the world before, winning the St Andrews Bay Championship on the Asian Tour back in 2023. He has missed his last two cuts but should feel refreshed after a two-week break.
Jorge Campillo- To Win (35/1)
Spaniard Jorge Campillo could be a nice sleeper option this week. The three-time DP World Tour champion came close to adding his 4th title earlier this year, finishing 2nd behind Haotong Li at the Turkish Airlines Open. He has also shown solid links form of late, finishing T22 at the Renaissance Club and T19 at the Alfred Dunhill Links in October,
The Man to Beat- Kristoffer Reitan (18/1)
27-year-old Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan will be my choice near the top of the betting markets. He won the Soudal Open in May and has been a consistent presence on leaderboards throughout the year, finishing T2 at the Hainan Classic, T2 at the Austrian Open and T4 at the BMW International Open. He produced some notable performances in the major links outings, finishing T13 at the Scottish Open and T30 at the Open Championship.
