Genesis Scottish Open Odds: Deep Field Heads to The Renaissance Club for Links Golf

An impressive field that includes 14 of the world’s top 15 golfers will tee it up on Thursday at The Renaissance Club for the Genesis Scottish Open.

Jon Rahm (+1200) comes into the Scottish Open as the favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook, though there are plenty of strong contenders among the world’s elite this week.

Rahm: Links play is ‘just golf’

Links golf always presents unique challenges for players used to competing on manicured courses in other parts of the world. But over the next two weeks, the top golfers will play in the Scottish Open and the Open Championship, where weather, rough, and bunkers can pose difficulties for even the most consistent players on tour.

“It’s just golf,” Rahm said, via Sports Illustrated. “And champions have come through that weather, so it’s not impossible. It’s just what is expected … It happens in a lot of tournaments we play. There’s always a difference one day to the next. But out here, the difference is quite a few strokes, and it is what it is.”

Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas come in as the joint second choices at +1400 each. Next on the board is Matt Fitzpatrick (+1600), who will be at home at the Scottish Open. The reigning US Open champion came close to winning at The Renaissance Club last year, losing out in a three-way playoff.

“Obviously it is such a strong field and a golf course I’ve played well around before, so yeah, looking forward to getting the week under way,” Fitzpatrick told reporters. “To come back here as a major champion for this event, I’m just looking forward to it. I’m ready to play, see where my game is at, particularly going into next week as well.”

Morikawa: Scottish Open will be tough test

World No. 4 Collin Morikawa (+2500) sits a little further down the odds board, but says he’s looking forward to the challenge of playing the Scottish Open before he defends his Open Championship crown next week.

“What I’ve heard about this course is it’s firm, fast, new bunkering, and it’s going to be a lot tougher test apparently,” Morikawa told reporters. “I think that only is going to prep me even more [for the Open].”

The DP World Tour partnered with the PGA Tour to put on the Scottish Open. Those tours barred players who participated in any LIV Golf events from playing in the tournament, as well as those who have committed to the Saudi-backed series.

However, some of these players will still be competing this week. Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui, and Justin Harding challenged their suspensions in British court. Judge Phillip Sycamore provided a temporary stay of the suspension before the event.

“I will simply say we are disappointed by the outcome of today’s hearing, but will abide by the decision,” DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley said in a statement. “It is important to remember, however, this is only a stay of the sanctions imposed, pending the hearing of the players’ appeal as to whether those sanctions were appropriate.”