Genesis Scottish Open 2024: McIlroy returns to defend in post-Pinehurst renaissance

Can Rory McIlroy bounce back from US Open heartache at the Scottish Open?

Rory McIlroy fronts up for a potentially career-defining fortnight in Scotland at the Genesis Scottish Open following US Open heartbreak.

The relevance to elite golf of ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’, will be put to the test during a fascinating fortnight of links golf starting with the Genesis Scottish Open and culminating with the 152nd Open Championship. Rory McIlroy’s resolve has perhaps never needed to be so strong as he prepares to dust himself off and defend his title at the Renaissance Club.

That elusive fifth Major title looked to have finally been secured at the US Open with just four holes remaining at Pinehurst No.2 before one of golf’s greatest storylines unfolded to crown home hero Bryson DeChambeau a second Major title. Is McIlroy ready to ditch the baggage and bounce back with a vengeance as the clock ticks down to the season’s final Major at Royal Troon?

With Scottie Scheffler taking a rare week off, and Bryson and co resigned to fine-tuning in Spain’s deep south at LIV Golf Andalucia, Rory will be a comfortable favorite in the eyes of many to go back-to-back at the Rolex Series event. To do so will be a solid start to banishing the demons that he will inevitably have faced over the past few weeks, and turn the narrative back toward his Major pedigree as opposed to perceived mental frailties.

Rewind 12 months and that’s exactly where we were, with McIlroy providing a 72nd hole masterclass of his own to steal the win from Ryder Cup teammate-to-be, Robert MacIntyre. His birdie-birdie finish ripped a fairytale win from the Scot, sealed with an 11-foot putt after a penetrating 202-yard 2-iron into the wind that will live fondly in the memory of links fans for quite some time. It has even been commemorated with a plaque on the Renaissance Club’s 18th hole that should bring an overdue smile to the Northern Irishman’s face.

“To finish two-three in these conditions, the two iron shots that I hit, the 5-iron into 17 and the 2-iron iron into the last are probably two of the best shots I’ve hit all year, and then to finish them off with the putts as well. It feels absolutely amazing,” said McIlroy following the win.

A week can be a long time in golf, and if McIlroy can find some more magic in North Berwick, he’ll be heading to Troon with an equal measure of confidence and hunger for revenge that we all want to see. A big four days lie ahead…

What format is the Genesis Scottish Open?

The format of the Genesis Scottish Open is a standard strokeplay event played over 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes (two rounds). The player with the lowest aggregate score over four rounds will win the tournament.

Where is the Genesis Scottish Open played?

The Renaissance Club in North Berwick plays host to the Genesis Scottish Open for the sixth straight edition. The Tom Doak links is in its own right one of the best golf courses in the UK, although is surrounded by some absolute jewels including North Berwick Golf Club and Muirfield that are arguably higher up on the ‘must-play’ list in East Lothian.

The ground of the Renaissance Club is fairly undulating with a lot of heavy rough just off the fairways. Many of the greens are elevated making the traditional links bump and run game a challenge, also featuring some significant mounds that mean precise approach play is critical. The par 70 track plays in the region of 7,237 yards with Rory McIlroy setting the tournament record of 265 strokes last year.

Who is in the field for the Genesis Scottish Open?

The Scottish Open field features 14 of the top 30 players in the OWRGs, including past champions in the World No. 2 & 3 – Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele. Other notable names warming up for Troon on the links include 2023 Open Champion Brian Harman, 2023 US Open Champion Wyndham Clark, and a host of Ryder Cup stars from both sides of the pond.

Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler, and Justin Thomas line up alongside Ludvig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Viktor Hovland, and last year’s runner-up – Robert MacIntyre. Unfortunately the only PGA star not teeing it up is the best of the lot with Scottie Scheffler opting not to compete for a seventh title of the season just yet.

The full field can be found here.

Who will win the Genesis Scottish Open?

Selected odds: TBC

How much will the winner of the Genesis Scottish Open receive?

The winner at the Renaissance Club will receive a $1.62 million cut from the $9 million prize fund and 500 FedExCup points. The purse remains the same as the 2023 edition which was bumped up by a million after two years at $8 million. The most significant jump came in 2017 when the purse more than doubled from $3.25 to $7 million.

Who has won the Genesis Scottish Open?

Here are the last 10 winners of the tournament:

How to watch the Genesis Scottish Open

UK viewers can watch the event on Sky Sports Golf (all times BST).

Thursday 11 July: Sky Sports Golf, 08.30

Friday 12 July: Sky Sports Golf, 08.30

Saturday 13 July: Sky Sports Golf, 15.00

Sunday 14 July: Sky Sports Golf, 15.00

US viewers can watch the event on The Golf Channel (all times EDT).

Thursday 11 July: The Golf Channel, 10.30

Friday 12 July: The Golf Channel, 10.30

Saturday 13 July: The Golf Channel, TBC

Sunday 14 July: The Golf Channel, TBC

Genesis Scottish Open: Tee times

Tee times and groups can be found here once released.

About the author

Ross Tugwood

Senior Digital Writer

Ross Tugwood is a Senior Digital Writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation.

Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.

He is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism, enabling him to critically analyze and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions.