Scottish Open 2022 – Event Overview:
A short trip over the Irish Sea to Scotland for The Scottish Open this week. There is a strong field teeing it up this week at Renaissance as players looks to familiarise themselves with the challenge of links golf ahead of The Open and the chance to lift the prestigious Claret Jug.
The field contains the current Claret Jug holder in Collin Morikawa, other noticeable players in the lineup are Rahm, Scottie, Xander, Hovland, JT to name a few.
This will be the fourth year in a row The Renaissance Club has held the event so many will be familiar with the test that lies ahead.
The Renaissance Club, which is located on Scotland’s “Golf Coast” between Muirfield and Archerfield Links, isn’t a traditional links course; rather, it was created from an old pine forest and debuted in 2008 and the architect is Tom Doak. The Renaissance Club’s course isn’t your typical links layout. There is a lot of heavy rough in play just off the fairways, and the terrain is actually rather hilly, especially as you descend to the new holes by the river and onto the back 9.
It would be impolite to deny that nine, ten, and eleventh holes, which go down to the Firth of Forth and offer some of the breathtaking views that the owner undoubtedly desired, are excellent additions to the course. In particular, the par-10 4th hole boasts a gorgeous location. The course is beautifully presented, and every last aspect is carefully considered.
For the worlds best players the course holds little fear and unless winds pick up significantly expect thus group to take the course apart despite the length and challenges poised to the average golfer. Length off the tee will be crucial and then positioning your approach shots in relation to the pin is essential because the greens are quite difficult and have some significant undulations.
Scottish Open 2022 – Event & Course Details:
| Course: | The Renaissance Club |
| Location: | North Berwick, Scotland |
| Date: | 7th – 10th July 2022 |
| Par: | 71 |
| Yardage: | 7,303 |
| Purse: | $8 Million |
| Greens: | Fescue |
| Defending Champion: | Min Woo Lee 2021 |
Key Skill Sets Required:
01. SG T2G
The foundation of good golf starts with T2G performance. In these low scoring events, I want players onside who are dialled in across every club in the bag and are bringing their T2G with them rather than looking to find it.
02. SG Approach
Approach play is the most significant stat of all the strokes gained categories. One of the only defences this course poses is the undulating greens. Hitting the correct segments of the greens and opening up scoring opportunities will be crucial to making birdies.
03. Par 5 Scoring
With the four par 5’s on show this week the winner will be shooting 8-10 under par on those holes over the week. 3 of them will be reachable by the majority of the field in two strokes. I want players onside who have demonstrated they take advantage on par’5 as a regular occurrence.
04. Birdies or Better
Attacking golf is the order of the day this week. Players will need to make over 20 birdies on the week to have any chance of lifting this trophy especially if the weather remains calm. Bernd Wiesberger made 30 birdies or better on way to victory in 2019 so that gives you an insight into what’s required this week.
05. SG Putting
One of the few defences this course puts up is the undulating greens that the players face this week. We want players on the side to have been gaining strokes with the Flatstick consistently over the last 6 to 8 weeks.
Scottish Open 2022: Best Outsiders to consider
01. Adri Arnaus 200/1🇬🇧 +20000 BetMGM🇺🇸
- A solid finish last week year at this event and made the cut in all three visits to the Scottish Open
- A proven performer on links tracks, his best major finish came on a links like track at Southern Hills
- A bomber off the tee, who gains strokes consistently vs his competitors from the tee box
- His ranks in the top 25 for SG Putting on the DP World Tour this year
02. Alexander Bjork 200/1🇬🇧 + 20000 BetMGM🇺🇸
- Top 20 finish in 2020 and Top 30 in 2021, shows he can handle the track this week
- Top 20 last week at the Irish Open
- A accurate driver of the ball which should set up lots of birdie opportunities from the fairways
- Ranked in the top 25 for SG Putting, a key factor this week
03. Antoine Rozner 200/1🇬🇧 + 20000 BetMGM🇺🇸
- 2 top 20’s in his last two event the Irish Open & BMW International
- A long hitter off the tee who regularly gains strokes over his competitors in this area
- Ranked in the top 20 for Putts per GIR
Scottish Open 2022: Best Outright Picks
01. Scottie Scheffler 14/1🇬🇧 +1400 BetMGM🇺🇸
- 12TH here last year on his first visit to the track, proven on the links layout, the only player to make the top 20 after shooting over par on day 1
- Top 10 at The Open Championship last year, shows he can handle these conditions
- Has a low ball flights off the tee and a natural fade which should help hold the fast and firm fairways
- Can control his ball flight with iron in hand and shapes the ball both ways with comfort
02. Xander Schauffele 20/1🇬🇧 +2000 BetMGM 🇺🇸
- A recent winner on the PGA Tour, so arrives in tip top shape after a poor 12 months
- A top 10 finish in the Scottish Open last year shows his liking for the track
- A superb driver of the ball, who can move it both ways off the tee
- Top 10 in Bogey Avoidance & Sand saves over the past 50 rounds on tour, sure to be helpful this week
03. Jordan Smith 125/1🇬🇧 +12500 BetMGM🇺🇸
- Two top 10 finishes in his last 4 events, demonstrating his game is in good order
- Leads the DP World Tour for GIR gained this week, shows his iron game is dialled in
- Leads the DP World Tour SG off the tee over the course of this season
- Experience in these conditions will suit sand I expect him to outrun his odds
04. Lucas Herbert 55/1🇬🇧 +5500 BetMGM🇺🇸
- Arrives on the back on a solid showing at the Irish Open
- Ranked 2nd SG Putting on the DP World Tour, a key factor this week
- Ranked 5TH SG Total on the DP World tour this season
- Proven he can handle the links courses with two top 5 finishes at the 2020/21 Scottish Open
