
We have a fantastic week of golf ahead as the DP World Tour heads to the Renaissance Club for the Scottish Open. We have a seriously strong field for this event, with many PGA Tour players making the trip over in preparation for next week’s Open Championship which will be played on a similar course. Those players include last year's winner Rory Mcilroy, but also the likes of Viktor Hovland, Max Homa and US PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele. With players like these expected to make the lineup, it’s all set to be a hot contest.
This event also has a habit of throwing up some fantastic finishes, and when Bobby Macintyre birdied the 72nd hole to card a final round of 64 last year, you would have thought that was going to be enough to win the tournament. However, Rory Mcilroy birdied 17 and then hit an incredible second shot on 18 and sunk the putt to steal victory by just one shot. He is back to defend his title once more but the field looks again even stronger this year and it’s going to take a really classy player to win it this year.
Now before we go on to my selections, just a reminder that I have also put up some longshot betting tips for you to consider, so make sure you check them out before the tournament starts.
For this week’s Scottish Open, I’ll be placing my bets with BetVictor, who also have a fantastic sign up offer available. If you
bet £5, then you’ll get £30 in free bets. It’s pretty spot on with my longshot picks to consider too.
The DP World Tour returns to Scotland as the Renaissance Club hosts the Scottish Open for the sixth consecutive year and this is one of my favourite events of the season. This is a notoriously difficult links-style golf course which requires a wide range of skills to shoot under par and it has provided us with some dramatic finishes in recent years.
The Renaissance is a coastal Par 70 stretching over 7237 yards and it definitely ranks as one of the top five toughest courses on the DP World Tour circuit. As a links course, players won't be able to attack the pins directly, they will have to use the contours of the golf course. I think this will benefit those who can control their trajectory, but also those who can hit controlled half shots with their irons too. This is a true test of golf for all players in the field and it will take a classy performance to win here. Due to the difficulty of the course, it’s unlikely there will be a shock result this week, but even the best will need to be on top form to emerge victorious. We are in for a seriously exciting week in North Berwick.
My first betting tip for the Scottish Open is world number 97 Tom McKibbin, a player well-versed in links-style golf. Last year, he claimed his first DP World Tour title by winning the European Open, and I believe he could add a second title this week. Despite not securing a win this season, he has consistently finished in the top 10, and is particularly suited to this week's course.
While shot shape isn’t crucial here, it’s important to have a player who can control their trajectory and hit those controlled half shots which are two of McKibbin's strongest attributes. His short game is reliable, which will also help him this week. Additionally,
McKibbin has a knack for improving as a tournament progresses, a valuable trait that could see him go really well in the Scottish Open. His recent performances on the DP World Tour have been solid, with finishes of 7th, 23rd, 8th, 6th, and most recently, second in the Italian Open after a final round of 65. Tom McKibbin is supremely talented, always consistent, and continuously improving. I believe he is a very strong contender this week.
My second pick for this week is world number 20 Matt Fitzpatrick. Although he has been somewhat out of sorts this season, I’m certain he’s on the verge of a return to form. In the Travelers Championship last week, he started with an opening round of 74, but bounced back impressively with rounds of 65, 63, and 69, suggesting he has found something in his swing.
His return to form comes at a really good time for this event, as Fitzpatrick is well-suited to the course when he is at his best. He has an exceptionally good short game, a crucial asset on this course, and he will benefit from the return to links-style golf. His ball flight is neutral, but he controls his spin very well, which is a really big advantage on these undulating greens. Although this is a top quality field, Matt Fitzpatrick has as good a chance as anyone and should not be underestimated.
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