​World number one Scottie Scheffler will get an early glimpse of Royal Birkdale after his remarkable run of 78 consecutive cuts made came to an end at the Scottish Open. His withdrawal from The Renaissance Club marks his first missed cut in four years, a setback just days before his bid to defend the Claret Jug. Scheffler needed to hole a chip from off the front of the par-three ninth green—his final hole—to have a chance at the predicted one-under-par cut line. However, his chip missed, and he failed to convert a six-foot par putt, leaving him at level par for the tournament after a two-over 72, sealing his early exit.
Although the early exit gives the 30-year-old some extra time to scout Royal Birkdale, a course he hasn’t played before, it is far from ideal preparation for defending the Claret Jug. He conceded that the outcome was not what he anticipated: “A little different to what I was planning. I’ll figure out how to get down to Birkdale and kind of go from there. This week I really wanted to play well and this is a golf course I feel like I can play well on – I just haven’t for some reason. It could be one of those things where you just get over jet lag, get used to a new style of golf, and maybe I just haven’t adjusted as quick, or perhaps this course doesn’t suit my eye as well.”
Scheffler’s round featured back-to-back bogeys at the 11th and 12th, plus a dropped shot at the 17th, offsetting a birdie at the 15th and sealing his fate with a closing bogey.
While Scheffler’s exit dominated headlines, other players posted eye-catching rounds. Jordan Smith produced a sensational 63, crafting four successive birdies from the 11th, turning in a five-under 30 with another birdie at the 17th. Three more birdies against a lone bogey at the sixth propelled him to nine under par, one shot clear of England’s Matt Fitzpatrick.
“I had three weeks off, put the clubs away for a week and then came back re-energised and looking forward to this next stretch,” Smith told BBC Scotland. “Things are feeling good. I’m in a good mental space and just need to keep it going.”
Fitzpatrick also impressed with a superb 65, nearly acing the par-three 15th while contributing to five successive birdies as he went out in 31. He said: “This stretch, from February and March onwards to now, is definitely the best golf I’ve played in my career.” His powerful form has seen him climb to world number four.
Former Masters champion Danny Willett, the Sheffield native, moved into a share of fourth on six under after a second straight 67. Spain’s Jon Rahm also mounted a late surge, shooting a second-round 65 to reach two under and secure his place in the weekend, having been five over after 11 holes on Thursday.
As the action at the Open continues, attention will turn to how Scheffler plots a strategy for Royal Birkdale, where the links layout will test every facet of his game as he chases a second major title. With a Tuesday return to practice ahead of the weekend, Scheffler will hope the scouting trip pays dividends and that jet lag, course familiarity, and eye-line adjustments align in time for a confident push on the Southport coast.