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NORTH BERWICK, Scotland — The prized slot that the Genesis Scottish Open occupies in the golf schedule, the week before The Open, is so cherished it’s just about protected by the National Trust.
It wasn’t always like this, mind you. Back in 1937, for instance, the fledgling Scottish Open was pencilled in to be played the week before The Open at Carnoustie and at a course near to the mighty Angus links.
It was binned, though. The reason? “I was told that the Royal & Ancient club would not allow the tournament to be played just before The Open in the same neighbourhood,” said the Scottish Open organiser A E Penfold in a Glasgow Herald report back in the day.
The Scottish Open was hoiked into the long grass and wouldn’t be dug out again until 1972.
Here in 2026, of course, the domestic showpiece is one of the biggest on the calendar – it boasts the fifth strongest field in men’s golf after the majors - and is firmly anchored in that much sought after pre-Open spot.
But will the U.S.-based PGA Tour’s major overhaul of its schedule fling a star spangled spanner into the Scottish Open works?
Beginning in 2028, the PGA Tour will emerge with the kind of facelift that used to be the reserve of ageing Hollywood A-listers.
The most significant change features a split between a Championship Series and a Challenger Series with promotion and relegation adding to the cut-and-thrust.
The money-soaked Championship Series will feature 20-odd events with prize funds of at least $20 million and fields of around 120 players. There will be no reserve lists or sponsor exemptions.
Are you still following? Good, then we’ll mosey along. For the last four years, the Genesis Scottish Open has been co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour and the 156-man field is, by and large, a half-and-half split of players from the two circuits with a couple of invitations and exemptions flung in.
So how will this fit into the PGA Tour’s new blueprint? Well, we don’t really know yet. But bear with us.
The all-powerful U.S. circuit is also introducing a number of elevated international events which will take place from September to January. Does this mean, then, that the $9 million Scottish Open could get dunted out of its pre-Open slot?
Robert MacIntyre, the 2024 national champion, is confident that won’t happen. In fact, the proud Scot would probably man a fortified position himself and protect his home Open with a bayonet attached to his 5-iron should anyone meddle with a championship he holds dear.
“I know there’s an international swing,” said the Ryder Cup man ahead of Thursday's opening round at the Renaissance club in East Lothian. “I think they were planning on having that the end of August to whenever it was. I think they have got to make exceptions at times. I think the Scottish Open has got to be before The Open. I think it will. But I don’t know, I have not spoken to anybody about it. But I personally think the Scottish Open is going to be totally fine.
“I don't see it being a $20 million event (on the new PGA Tour). I see it being like a high-end DP World Tour Rolex Series event. I think it would be a bit mad to put a $20m event in Scotland given the world we live in today, It's not the same as America. It more realistic on the money side of it.”
MacIntyre’s ‘hands off’ rallying cry gained a sizeable ally in the reigning Masters champion, Rory McIlroy.
“We've got to be careful with that,” said McIlroy of the prospect of the Scottish Open becoming an event purely for Championship Series players in the PGA Tour’s new vision. “Because then these national Opens lose the fabric of what they are, right? You can't call yourself a national Open anymore if it's a closed off tournament and there's only a certain number of guys. I think this (the Scottish Open) is a perfect, it's a perfect lead-in to The Open Championship. I see how well it's done over these past few years, and I definitely I feel like it's the blueprint for a lot of the other national Opens.”
The Renaissance Club is hosting the Genesis Scottish Open for the eighth successive time and has a deal running through to 2030.
This modern links has evolved and improved over the seasons. After aiming one or two withering barbs at it down the years, McIlroy, who pipped MacIntyre to the title here during a thrilling battle for supremacy in 2023, has developed a fondness for it.
“There are so many great golf courses in this area, and when we first came here, I think we sometimes jump to maybe not liking a course because of how new it is or maybe some greens are a bit too slopey or whatever,” admitted the world No 2.
“But I must say, it has grown on me a lot. It’s a really good venue for this tournament.”
MacIntyre certainly enjoys this neck of the woods too. The world No 20 has arrived on the back of a solid share of 10th in the Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour and will join McIlroy and the defending champion, Chris Gotterup, in one of the marquee groups over the opening couple of rounds.
Back in 2019, when the Renaissance first staged the Scottish Open, MacIntyre was a tour rookie and made his debut in a high-profile three-ball that included McIlroy and Rickie Fowler.
“The first time I played here, I struggled to get the ball on the tee,” he said with a smile as he recalled a stomach-churning experience that would stand him in good stead.
“I don't mind getting thrown in the deep end but that was a massive learning curve.”
MacIntyre has certainly made a splash since then, hasn’t he?
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Rory McIlroy says Genesis Scottish Open is the 'perfect lead-in to the Open'
Continue reading...
It wasn’t always like this, mind you. Back in 1937, for instance, the fledgling Scottish Open was pencilled in to be played the week before The Open at Carnoustie and at a course near to the mighty Angus links.
It was binned, though. The reason? “I was told that the Royal & Ancient club would not allow the tournament to be played just before The Open in the same neighbourhood,” said the Scottish Open organiser A E Penfold in a Glasgow Herald report back in the day.
The Scottish Open was hoiked into the long grass and wouldn’t be dug out again until 1972.
You must be registered for see images
Here in 2026, of course, the domestic showpiece is one of the biggest on the calendar – it boasts the fifth strongest field in men’s golf after the majors - and is firmly anchored in that much sought after pre-Open spot.
But will the U.S.-based PGA Tour’s major overhaul of its schedule fling a star spangled spanner into the Scottish Open works?
Beginning in 2028, the PGA Tour will emerge with the kind of facelift that used to be the reserve of ageing Hollywood A-listers.
The most significant change features a split between a Championship Series and a Challenger Series with promotion and relegation adding to the cut-and-thrust.
The money-soaked Championship Series will feature 20-odd events with prize funds of at least $20 million and fields of around 120 players. There will be no reserve lists or sponsor exemptions.
Are you still following? Good, then we’ll mosey along. For the last four years, the Genesis Scottish Open has been co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour and the 156-man field is, by and large, a half-and-half split of players from the two circuits with a couple of invitations and exemptions flung in.
So how will this fit into the PGA Tour’s new blueprint? Well, we don’t really know yet. But bear with us.
The all-powerful U.S. circuit is also introducing a number of elevated international events which will take place from September to January. Does this mean, then, that the $9 million Scottish Open could get dunted out of its pre-Open slot?
Robert MacIntyre, the 2024 national champion, is confident that won’t happen. In fact, the proud Scot would probably man a fortified position himself and protect his home Open with a bayonet attached to his 5-iron should anyone meddle with a championship he holds dear.
You must be registered for see images attach
“I know there’s an international swing,” said the Ryder Cup man ahead of Thursday's opening round at the Renaissance club in East Lothian. “I think they were planning on having that the end of August to whenever it was. I think they have got to make exceptions at times. I think the Scottish Open has got to be before The Open. I think it will. But I don’t know, I have not spoken to anybody about it. But I personally think the Scottish Open is going to be totally fine.
“I don't see it being a $20 million event (on the new PGA Tour). I see it being like a high-end DP World Tour Rolex Series event. I think it would be a bit mad to put a $20m event in Scotland given the world we live in today, It's not the same as America. It more realistic on the money side of it.”
MacIntyre’s ‘hands off’ rallying cry gained a sizeable ally in the reigning Masters champion, Rory McIlroy.
“We've got to be careful with that,” said McIlroy of the prospect of the Scottish Open becoming an event purely for Championship Series players in the PGA Tour’s new vision. “Because then these national Opens lose the fabric of what they are, right? You can't call yourself a national Open anymore if it's a closed off tournament and there's only a certain number of guys. I think this (the Scottish Open) is a perfect, it's a perfect lead-in to The Open Championship. I see how well it's done over these past few years, and I definitely I feel like it's the blueprint for a lot of the other national Opens.”
The Renaissance Club is hosting the Genesis Scottish Open for the eighth successive time and has a deal running through to 2030.
This modern links has evolved and improved over the seasons. After aiming one or two withering barbs at it down the years, McIlroy, who pipped MacIntyre to the title here during a thrilling battle for supremacy in 2023, has developed a fondness for it.
“There are so many great golf courses in this area, and when we first came here, I think we sometimes jump to maybe not liking a course because of how new it is or maybe some greens are a bit too slopey or whatever,” admitted the world No 2.
“But I must say, it has grown on me a lot. It’s a really good venue for this tournament.”
MacIntyre certainly enjoys this neck of the woods too. The world No 20 has arrived on the back of a solid share of 10th in the Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour and will join McIlroy and the defending champion, Chris Gotterup, in one of the marquee groups over the opening couple of rounds.
Back in 2019, when the Renaissance first staged the Scottish Open, MacIntyre was a tour rookie and made his debut in a high-profile three-ball that included McIlroy and Rickie Fowler.
“The first time I played here, I struggled to get the ball on the tee,” he said with a smile as he recalled a stomach-churning experience that would stand him in good stead.
“I don't mind getting thrown in the deep end but that was a massive learning curve.”
MacIntyre has certainly made a splash since then, hasn’t he?
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Rory McIlroy says Genesis Scottish Open is the 'perfect lead-in to the Open'
Continue reading...
