​Justin Thomas and Max Homa are approaching The Open Championship from markedly different angles. Thomas is sticking with the long-established path, dipping his toes back into link-style golf by competing in the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club. The plan is to sharpen his game on links courses across the pond as preparation for Royal Birkdale. Homa, on the other hand, only learned recently that he had earned a spot in The Open and remains stateside. He’s currently competing in the ISCO Championship following a runner-up finish at last week’s John Deere Classic.
Traditionally, playing in the Scottish Open is seen as the best build-up to The Open, a tested routine embraced by numerous past champions. Yet Homa notes that Thomas would likely prefer to be somewhere else, closer to home. Thomas, who hails from Kentucky, holds the ISCO Championship dear as a home event and a tournament he adores. According to Homa, it’s one Thomas would choose over the Scottish Open if given a choice.
Homa shared details of a playful exchange with Thomas after his first round at the ISCO. “Yeah, it’s awesome. We’re staying downtown, it’s been a blast. I’ve had the chance to soak in this place on several trips. The golf course is phenomenal. It’s just unfortunate with all the rain,” Homa recounted. “I’ve been texting with Justin Thomas, who’s from here, and he’s honestly a bit jealous that we’re here. I’m joking with him because it’s 12,000 degrees and he’s in a short sleeve in Scotland.”
The mood in the ISCO clubhouse feels different—almost communal. Homa described the energy as if the whole field is rooting for everyone, a vibe that underscores the significance of the ISCO in Thomas’s life. It isn’t that the Scottish Open lacks prestige; it’s simply that the ISCO holds special meaning for Thomas, a two-time major winner who would understandably trade a few extra miles on the road for the comfort of home.
Still, the contrast in preparation strategies reflects the broader conversation about form and fit leading into The Open. For many, the Scottish Open represents a proven pathway to success on links courses; for Thomas, the ISCO channel represents a personal milestone and a home-court advantage he cannot replicate across the Atlantic. As the Open Championship approaches, both players bring compelling narratives: Thomas pursuing a familiar, time-tested warm-up near home, and Homa embracing a different rhythm, keen to maximize his peak when the major finally begins.