Genesis Scottish Open under way at The Renaissance Club

The exclusive county venue is hosting the Genesis Scottish Open for the sixth consecutive year.

Tens of thousands of fans are expected to line the fairways between today and Sunday to cheer on stars including defending champion Rory McIlroy, three-time Major winner and former world number one Jordan Spieth, two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa, and 2023 US Open champion Wyndham Clark.

Each of the winners from the previous five Scottish Opens – Bernd Wiesberger, Aaron Rai, Min Woo Lee, Xander Schauffele and McIlroy – will be competing over the four days.

Reigning Olympic champion Schauffele was looking forward to returning to The Renaissance Club after winning the tournament in 2022.

Xander Schauffele has fond memories of The Renaissance Club after winning the Scottish Open at the East Lothian course in 2022. Image: Gordon Bell

The American arrives in Scotland in sensational form, having won his maiden Major title at the US PGA Championship in May and recorded 10 other top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour since 2024 began.

Prior to claiming his first Major championship crown at Valhalla Golf Club two months ago, the world number three’s last trip to the winner’s circle came at this event, and he has fond memories of that week.

He said: “I was coming off no wins, similar to what just happened.

“I didn’t win for a couple of years. I was able to win Stateside, and then to travel over here straight after and win again, it was really cool.

“I was super proud and it’s something I’m still proud of, just to be able to win, of course, but also in a completely different country is a really tough thing to do and a testament to sort of consistency and good game planning.

“So it was a big win for my team and myself, and those back-to-backs are important.”

Xander Schauffele has fond memories of The Renaissance Club after winning the Scottish Open at the East Lothian course in 2022. Image: Gordon Bell

The 30-year-old finished one-stroke ahead of Kurt Kitayama in the summer of 2022 to go home with €1,378,143.20.

Last year, he had to settle for a share of 42nd spot as McIlroy dashed Scottish hopes by edging out home favourite Robert MacIntyre.

Schauffele, who won Olympic gold in Tokyo three years ago, was looking forward to getting back to playing in Scotland – a week before Royal Troon hosts The Open.

He said: “I love coming here and I love coming overseas, playing across the pond and slowly acclimating myself and yeah, just excited for the week.

“There’s just an appreciation.

“Not that all fans don’t appreciate golf but there’s a deeper appreciation here.

“They know what a good shot looks like.

“Like when you hit 140 yards from the pin, they know when that’s a good shot and they clap, and that’s always nice.”

MacIntyre, who has been ranked at 40-1 to win the tournament, is one of eight Scottish golfers competing.

Joining MacIntyre (teeing off at 8.28am) on the fairways will be Grant Forrest (1.43pm), who lives in Pencaitland, as well as Connor Syme (7.11am), David Law (7.44am), Scott Jamieson (12.37pm), Richie Ramsay (12.48pm), Ewen Ferguson (1.54pm) and Calum Hill (2.05pm).

Each will be aiming to secure the winning prize of $1.6 million and become the first Scotsman to win the tournament since Colin Montgomerie at Loch Lomond 25 years ago.