​Tom Kim, the 17-under phenom, closed with a 6-under 64 in the final round on Sunday to capture the Genesis Scottish Open, the event that serves as the curtain-raiser to the British Open. The win at Royal Birkdale marks Kim’s first championship since 2023 and sets the stage for the year’s final major, the Open Championship, at Royal Liverpool. Kim’s performance not only secured him a victory but also moved him further into the spotlight as one of golf’s rising stars on the PGA Tour.
One bettor’s big-day bankroll was a standout subplot of Kim’s triumph. A DraftKings Sports bettor wagered $47,700 on Kim to win the tournament at odds of 84-1, and the ticket paid off in dramatic fashion when Kim finished two strokes ahead of Min Woo Lee at 15-under par. The bet yielded a payout of $4,006,800, underscoring the high-stakes excitement that surrounds golf betting in major championships.
Kim’s path to victory this season has been marked by notable milestones. He finished third at the U.S. Open in June, demonstrating his continued ability to contend at the highest level of competition. While his British Open results had previously included misses, Kim entered the Genesis Scottish Open ranked No. 66 in the Official World Golf Rankings, a position that did not reflect the momentum he would carry into the week. The prize money from the win was substantial, with Kim earning $1.575 million for his first-place finish, a significant payday that added to his already impressive earnings for the season.
The tournament drew additional attention beyond Kim’s bold charge. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 and the favorite at roughly +500 odds, entered the event with high expectations but faced an abrupt end when he missed the cut on Friday. This marked the first time since 2022 that Scheffler failed to advance past the cut in a PGA Tour event after an extraordinary streak of 78 consecutive cuts made, a record that had become a hallmark of his consistency. The early exit by Scheffler opened the door for Kim and others to seize the opportunity at Royal Birkdale, where the course conditions and competition created a compelling narrative for fans and bettors alike.
As Kim departs Scotland with a victory to his name, the focus now shifts toward the Open Championship, where Royal Birkdale’s links course and the tradition of major championship golf promise a fresh test for Kim’s game. His 64 in the final round and the overall 17-under total at the Genesis Scottish Open highlight a year of growth and resilience, signaling that Kim is poised to be a continued force as golf’s 2026 season unfolds. With the Open approaching, Kim’s performance serves as an encouraging sign for his supporters and a reminder to rivals that he remains a serious contender at the sport’s most prestigious events.