The evidence is there for all of us to see at the Renaissance Club – it’s the strongest field in the history of the Scottish Open. With 4 of the top 5 golfers in the world in the field, plus a further 23 of the world’s top 50 also playing, I’m sure the standard of golf this week will give us some great insight into who enjoys links golf!
Pre-tournament favourite Jon Rahm (15/2) and Rory McIlroy will steal the majority of headlines and rightly so, but one name to look out for is Tommy Fleetwood (33/1) given his close calls in recent years at links events, finishing second in both The Open Championship and the Scottish Open in 2019 & 2020.
Local Hero on the Links?
It’s also worth noting that there is a heavy overseas contingent in the field, the American studs are in town so it will be interesting to see how Justin Thomas, Colin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele (12/1) among others, adjust to the challenge of links golf. After all, it stood Phil Mickelson in good stead as on route to winning the 2013 Open Championship, he claimed victory the week prior at the Scottish Open.
Going away from the big names, I think the local boy Robert MacIntyre (40/1) will be in the mix given his upbringing on Scottish soil. Another name for me would be Brandon Grace (33/1), the South African has come close in both this event and the Open Championship, finishing as runner up in both. It’s also worth noting he’s won the South African Open on a links style golf course, Fancourt Country Club, so it’s clear his lower ball flight is helpful in the normal blustery conditions these courses produce.
I personally love links golf; it always produces gritty performances for the eventual winners. It always creates moments of golfing magic. The next two weeks are most certainly for the golfing purest.
Enjoy!
*All odds correct at time of writing.
