By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
2023 winner heading back to The Renaissance Club for $9m Genesis Scottish Open
The five-time major winner will be making his fourth successive
appearance in the $9 million Rolex Series event, having followed his
dramatic title triumph three years ago by finishing fourth behind Bob
MacIntyre in 2024 then tying for second as Chris Gotterup landed the
prize last summer.
“It’s always an honour to compete in a national open, and I’m excited to
be back at the Genesis Scottish Open this summer,” said McIlroy, who is
a combined 42 under par for his last 12 rounds on the Tom Doak-designed
course on Scotland’s Golf Coast.
It took a sensational birdie-birdie finish for the Northern Irishman to
pip MacIntyre in 2023, making history in the process as he became the
first player to triumph in the national opens of both Scotland and
Ireland as well as The Open.
“Winning
in 2023 created some great memories, and I’m looking forward to
building on my strong performances at The Renaissance Club,” added the
world No 2.
McIlroy,
who became just the sixth player to complete a career grand slam when
winning The Masters last April, will be looking to pick up some big Race
to Dubai points on 9-12 July as he bids to be crowned as European No 1
for a record-equalling eighth time.
On the back of two wins in December, young South African Jayden Schaper
currently leads the Race to Dubai, with Patrick Reed in close pursuit
after winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic then finishing joint-second
in the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship.
Reed’s
decision to leave LIV Golf means he’s likely to be a serious threat to
McIlroy in the battle for the Harry Vardon Trophy this year. The
American is teeing up in fourth straight event on the circuit this week
in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Helped
by a sensational 61 in the second round, Gotterup claimed a two-shot
success in last year’s Genesis Scottish Open, with the American now a
three-time PGA Tour winner after his victory in last month’s Sony Open
in Hawaii.
Rory McIlroy shows off the trophy after his win in 2023 Genesis Scottish Open in East Lothian | Andrew Redington/Getty Images
he Genesis Scottish Open will be the second Rolex Series event of the
2026 Race to Dubai and first tournament in the DP World Tour’s Closing
Swing, with tickets on sale now at etg.golf/GSO26Tickets
The
fan experience at the event includes the Fringe by the Tee pop-up
stage, in conjunction with the Fringe by the Sea festival, which in 2025
featured a Saturday headline slot from KT Tunstall, the
Grammy-nominated, Brit Award-winning artist, with this year’s line-up to
be announced soon.
General
admission tickets for the Genesis Scottish Open start from as low as
£35, with fans having the option to elevate their experience with
Ticket+ as well as our two Premium Experiences: Green on 18 and Thistle
Club.
General admission daily or season tickets can be purchased now at etg.golf/GSO26Tickets
Ticket+, which offers an enhanced experience including reserved bar and
viewing area, preferential parking and meal vouchers can be purchased
at etg.golf/GSO26TicketPlus And for the Green on 18 or Thistle Club Premium Experiences, purchase at etg.golf/GSO26PremiumExperience
