2023 Scottish Open

The Genesis Scottish Open will head back to the Renaissance Club in Northern Scotland this year as defending champion Xander Schauffle returns to the field to defend his title. Like last year, he comes into this week on a solid run, with ten straight top 25s to his name as he gears up for The Open Championship next weekend.

While Schauffle (16/1) is fourth on the oddsboard, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy lead the way at 7/1 and 10/1, followed by Patrick Cantlay at 14/1. Further down the board, the red-hot Rickie Fowler (20/1) is also in the field, followed by Viktor Hovland (18/1) and reigning Open Championship winner Matt Fitzpatrick (5/1). 

The Renaissance Club, where this week’s events will be hosted, comes in at just over 7,200 yards and a par 70. A links-style course, this one comes in much shorter than many of these guys see every week but requires a high level of accuracy. Right off the sea, wind is typically a factor in this event as well, so we’ll be taking a look at guys who usually perform well in those conditions. 

Let’s take a closer look at a few guys I think could find success early this week in Scotland.

Scottish Open First Round Leader Tips

Tommy Fleetwood

The best player left on Tour without a win, Fleetwood comes into this week playing some of the best golf of his 10+ year career. Even though he hasn’t won at the PGA Tour level, he does have six wins on the DP World Tour, and that experience should translate well here. 

Prior to his missed cut a few weeks ago at the Travelers Championship, Fleetwood had three top fives in his last five starts, including a narrow miss at the RBC Canadian Open (P2). Already one of the best ball strikers out there, Fleetwood’s putter has been getting better and better, and if it’s on here early, look for a hot start from the Englishman.

Tyrrell Hatton

There’s arguably no one in the field this week better at the links than Hatton, as the England native had dominated them over the years. In his three visits to The Rennaisance, Hatton has three top 25s and comes into the week hot this season as well. 

In his 16 starts this season, he’s made 15 cuts with 10 top-25 appearances. He has finished T15 or better in five of his last six events and has all the tools in his arsenal for a fast start here.

Wyndham Clark

The US Open champ has only played once since then, a T29 at the Travelers Championship. Now gearing up to make it two straight majors, he’ll look to improve his T16 debut here last year.