Joe Champion
Scotland and Northern Ireland take center stage over the next fortnight as the Scottish Open serves as a warm-up to the big one, the 153rd British Open Championship, at Royal Portrush. The big names are out in force at the Renaissance Club for the first half of a 2-week links examination, as Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Open champion Xander Schauffele, and last year’s Scottish Open winner, local hero Robert MacIntyre, all tee it up. The Renaissance Club hosts the Scottish Open for the 7th straight season. A modern links track designed by Tom Doak, Renaissance will be bathed in sunshine this week, and winds are not expected to cause too many issues. Still, links form should come to the fore, while a sharp short game is usually required at the East Lothian venue. Let’s dive into my golf predictions for the Genesis Scottish Open.
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Scottish Open contenders
The last 3 winners of the Scottish Open have been top-class — Schauffele demonstrated his Open-winning potential in 2022, McIlroy broke MacIntyre’s heart the following year before the Scot redeemed himself to win last season’s tournament.
As always, Scheffler is the betting favorite for this week’s edition. He has the creativity and the craft to become a links champion, but he’s one of a number of main contenders who will be determined to peak for Portrush, so it could pay to go hunting for value at much more generous odds.
Scottish Open golf picks and predictions
Scottish Open best bet: Matt Fitzpatrick (+4500)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Matt Fitzpatrick will be desperate to return to winning ways and is well equipped to do so this week. Fitzpatrick is coming back to the boil after a spell in the doldrums and a split with caddie Billy Foster. The Englishman was 8th at the PGA Championship in May, 17th at the Travelers Championship last month and 8th at the Rocket Classic on his most recent start. He has real links pedigree, finishing 2nd and 6th here in 2021 and 2022, and winning the 2023 Dunhill Links. Fitzpatrick has rediscovered his tee-to-green precision over the last 3 months, and he has always putted well on the Renaissance Club greens.
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Scottish Open prediction: Ryan Fox (+6000)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The odds against Ryan Fox’s name look too good to pass up. He has long looked capable of contending for big links titles and he could put it all together this week. He won the Dunhill a year prior to Fitzpatrick, was an Irish Open runner-up at Ballyliffin in 2018, and finished 16th at Portrush when the British Open last visited Northern Ireland in 2019. The Kiwi finished 12th at Renaissance in 2023, and he’s taken his form to a new level this year with wins at the Myrtle Beach Classic and the Canadian Open. He looks full of confidence.
Scottish Open pick: Maverick McNealy (+8000)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Of the US challengers, Maverick McNealy looks a lively outsider. He is a fine wind player who finished 5th at the Memorial Tournament at the start of June and he improved with every round when 16th on his sole course start in 2022.
Scottish Open longshot pick: Thomas Detry (+10000)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
Thomas Detry is yet to build on his Phoenix Open win, but the Belgian has shown signs of a return to form, finishing 18th in Canada and 23rd at the US Open before a lesser effort at the Travelers. He has course form figures of 2-10-42-26 from the last 4 Scottish Opens and has enticing odds to win it all this week.
Scottish Open longshot pick: Brian Harman (+10000)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and bet365 at time of publishing.
It’s also worth taking a chance on 2023 British Open champion Brian Harman, who drove the ball beautifully when 8th at the Travelers. He has finished 12th and 21st in his last 2 course starts.
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