Rory McIlroy is set to return to the Genesis Scottish Open to defend his title, with all eyes on him as he prepares for his final opportunity this year to end his decade-long major title drought.
Co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour for the third consecutive year, the event kicks off Thursday at North Berwick’s Renaissance Club in Scotland. The field boasts many of the world’s top 20 players honing their links golf skills ahead of next week’s Open Championship.
Scottie Scheffler is opting out of this week’s competition, putting World No. 2 McIlroy in the spotlight. McIlroy, hailing from Northern Ireland, returns to the course following his recent U.S. Open setback where he relinquished a two-stroke lead to Bryson DeChambeau.
“It was a great day until it wasn’t,” McIlroy reflected. “There are a couple of things I wish I could redo, but overall, I’m satisfied with how I played, my game plan, and how I handled myself throughout the tournament.”
McIlroy fondly recalls his victory at Renaissance Club’s 18th hole, where a plaque now commemorates his memorable 2-iron shot setting up a decisive birdie.
“I’ve seen it online, they initially misspelled my name, but it’s corrected now,” McIlroy remarked.
Last year, McIlroy edged out Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre by one stroke, and MacIntyre remains a hometown favorite aiming to become Scotland’s first national open winner since Colin Montgomerie in 1999. MacIntyre’s recent RBC Canadian Open victory further bolsters his confidence.
“I feel more composed this time around,” MacIntyre noted. “Things are under control, despite the ups and downs in my game. Winning this would mean a lot to me as a Scot.”
The field also includes Xander Schauffele, the 2022 Scottish Open and recent PGA Championship winner, along with major champions Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, and South Korea’s Tom Kim, who has shown strong performances in past Scottish Opens.
Playing a 7,237-yard, par-70 course along Scotland’s coast, competitors are adjusting to the unique challenges of links golf.
“There are definite adjustments required,” Kim acknowledged. “You’re hitting lower tee shots due to the wind and utilizing the ground differently than on typical PGA Tour courses in the U.S.”