​It’s easy to cast an eye toward the Open Championship, but this week’s Scottish Open is rapidly earning its place among golf’s elite events. The field runs exceptionally deep, thanks in large part to the event’s co-sanctioned status, which allows players like Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Patrick Reed to compete even without a PGA TOUR card. The Renaissance Club will host for the eighth straight year, providing the backdrop for Scotland’s national open. The drama isn’t limited to the competition itself; this week also marks the final opportunity to qualify for next week’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Weather could be a major factor, with the coastal winds at The Renaissance Club likely to test players in different conditions. Our preview will feature a roster of golfers capable of thriving no matter what the course throws at them.
Winner: Rory McIlroy (+910) Rory McIlroy has not been overly prolific this season, tallying only 11 global starts since the calendar flipped, but his performances when he has played have been outstanding. The year has been highlighted by his second Masters title, and he sits with roughly +1.84 strokes gained per round—nearly identical to his figures from the prior two years. His driving is among the best in the game, a fact reflected in his ability to gain multiple strokes off the tee in eight consecutive events, which provides him a solid floor whenever he tees it up. This skill set has helped him post a top-5 finish in 25% of his starts this year.
McIlroy returns to The Renaissance Club, a venue where he has thrived, gaining an average of +2.18 strokes per round across five career visits—the best mark of any player in this field. Over the last three years, his results at this venue have been even more impressive, including a win, a T2, and a T4, translating to a +3.03 SG/round rate that sits well within the dominant realm of performance.
Top 5: Wyndham Clark (+550) Clark is currently golf’s hottest player, and there’s little sign of a slowdown on the horizon. Since April 1, he has played nine times, recording seven top-20 finishes in that span, including four top-5s and wins at the Byron Nelson and the U.S. Open. His recent surge is propelled by the flat-out best putting in the game during that period. Over those nine events, Clark has gained +1.22 strokes per round with the putter, a figure that stands as the best in the world. His ability to convert birdies and salvage pars is fueling his momentum, and his confidence grows with every hole he plays.
Clark has also shown a strong affinity for The Renaissance Club, where he has played four times and posted top-25 results in each appearance. His success there is driven not only by solid off-the-tee play but also by substantial putting gains—nearly 13 strokes gained with the putter across his last eight rounds—which has contributed to his strong form around this venue. The combination of elite putting, comfort at the course, and a current run of excellent results makes him a compelling contender this week.