The golfing world will turn towards Scotland and the best of the best make their final preparations for the upcoming Open by taking part in the Scottish Open this week. We look at the tournament from a betting angle.
THE COURSE
The Renaissance Club plays to a par 70 and is a links setup with a few of the holes hugging the coast. The course was only opened 15 years ago, and it first hosted the Scottish Open in 2019 where Bernd Wiesberger claimed the victory with a -22 score. This will be the 6th consecutive renewal at this course and position of approach shots will be crucial on the undulating greens.
The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with some winds rolling in over the four days and so being able to play the ball in the wind will be crucial as it always is on Links courses.
Past Winners
2023 – Rory McIlroy -15
2022 – Xander Schauffele -7
2021 – Min Woo Lee -18*
2020 – Aaron Rai -11*
2019 – Bernd Wiesberger -22*
2018 – Brandon Stone -20
The bookies have defending champion, Rory McIlroy as favourite to win trading at 8.50 while the 2022 winner, Xander Schauffele is trading at 9.50. Ludvig Aberg is trading at 15.00 followed by Collin Morikawa at 17.00.
Betting – Click here to bet
Rory McIlroy 8.50
Xander Schauffele 9.50
Ludvig Aberg 15.00
Collin Morikawa 17.00
Tommy Fleetwood 21.00
Viktor Hovland 23.00
Prices subject to change
SELECTIONS:
Rory McIlroy at 8.50
Rory will be looking to come out and defend his title as he prepares for yet another major with hopes of finally winning again. He has on a solid run of form this year, winning two tournaments as well as another four top five finishes. He has not played since the Us Open where he missed two crucial putts down the stretch on Sunday and let the title slip away. He will be hungry to get back on the winning trail.
Each way at 8.50
Tommy Fleetwood at 21.00
Fleetwood is the type of player that excels in windy links conditions as he able to control his ball flight extremely well, keeping it under the wind if required. Fleetwood has won once this year on the DP World Tour. He has played some solid golf on the PGA Tour with three top ten finishes and another five top twenty-five finishes. This is the perfect time for him to hit a run of form as he prepares for the upcoming Open and he loves this course with 2 top 5’s and a top 10 in the last 4 years.
Each way at 21.00
Robert Macintyre at 51.00
An outside shout this week however, with his home crowd behind him he could have what it takes to pull off a brilliant win. He finished runner up at last years tournament only one shot behind Rory and will be looking to improve on that this year. Another player who is used to the conditions golfers will face this week but he will need to improve on recent form which has seen him miss 2 of his last 3 cuts.
Each way at 51.00
Aaron Rai at 46.00
Rai won this event 4 years ago but has missed his last 2 cuts here. It is his recent form that catches the eye though and he has a top 10 and a 2nd place in his last 2 starts and has been in the top 20 in his last 4. It will only take a good start for the positive memories of this course to come flooding back.
Each way at 46.00