​Golfpocalypse is a cadre of words that tees off ahead of every PGA Tour week, mostly focused on that week’s event. Reach out with your hottest takes on anything at all to shane.spr8@gmail.com, and we’ll publish the best emails here. Ladies and gentlemen, we’re diving into a very special stretch of the season when golf’s elite head to Scotland, a country that’s among the oldest homes of the game. In the spirit of this moment, I’m here to celebrate the next two weeks—Scottish Open followed by The Open—and to savor every linksy detail: the links, the dunes, the gorse, the fescue, the heather, the gloaming, and yes, even the notion of haggis, all from this remarkable corner of the world. Let’s go!
1. The Scottish Open should be on a rotating rota
This is my most obvious, undeniable take. Since 2019 the event has been staged at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, and it will remain there at least through 2030. There are financial and logistical reasons for keeping it there, but I’m going to set those aside to make my case: this setup isn’t ideal. The course is solid by Scottish standards, but it doesn’t sing, and the venue’s name carries a certain tacky, neon-club vibe that doesn’t fit the moment. More importantly, it monopolizes a tournament that exists in one of the world’s most expansive golfing regions. Let the wealth spread. I want to see all the great courses—Royal Dornoch, North Berwick, Cruden Bay, Nairn, Machrihanish—back in the rotation. I’d even welcome a historic, spectacular course to join the mix, just to broaden the appeal and the drama. I’ve never played these courses myself, except at a very modest level, but the prospect of a new, storied course hosting the Scottish Open every year is irresistibly exciting. I’d be properly thrilled, no doubt about it, if that were the case. (After I floated this idea to Joel Beall and others, he noted a similar take from three years ago. Fine—credit where it’s due; here’s the link anyway.)
2. Will we see the return of the (Bobby) Mac?
One of the standout stories of 2024 was Robert MacIntyre winning his home Open. Even though his form has cooled since peaking at fifth in the world rankings and sliding to around 20th, there are signs of life—most recently a T-10 at the Travelers Championship. He isn’t the only Scottish contender, but he’s the one with a real chance to contend, and a local in the mix always adds excitement. This season, he sits 20th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 11th in Strokes Gained: Putting, with a rough patch in Approach. That said, his recent Travelers showing hints at better days, suggesting a spark could reappear when it matters most. With a course setup that rewards bold, accurate play, MacIntyre remains an intriguing name to watch, and a strong run would be a fantastic chapter for the home crowd.