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Scottish Open (golf)
Scottish Open (golf)
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Key Information

Scottish Open (golf) is located in Scotland
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Scottish Open venues ( Current venue)

The Genesis Scottish Open is a professional golf tournament in Scotland, and is one of five tournaments that are part of the Rolex Series, which identifies it as one of the European Tour's premier events. It has been played on various courses, but in recent years it has been played on a links course, appealing to players who wish to gain experience before The Open, which takes place in the following week.

Since 1987 it has, together with John Deere Classic, been the last chance to qualify for The Open. It has been part of the Open Qualifying Series since that series started in 2014. The leading 3 players (4 in 2016) not already qualified, have received an entry to the Open. Before 2014 there was generally an exemption category so that the leading player or players, not already qualified, could play in the Open.

The Scottish Open became a Rolex Series event in 2017 (when the series was inaugurated), which meant the prize fund was increased to $7 million. Beginning in 2022, the tournament was co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and title sponsored by Genesis.[1]

History

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1972 and 1973

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The first Sunbeam Electric Scottish Open was part of the 1972 European Tour and was held at Downfield Golf Club in Dundee. Neil Coles beat Brian Huggett at the second hole of a sudden-death playoff, holing a 12-foot putt.[2] Total prize money was £10,000 with a first prize of £2,000. Sunbeam Electric had sponsored the Sunbeam Electric Tournament in 1971.

In 1973 the event was played on the Old Course at St Andrews. Graham Marsh won by 6 strokes from Peter Oosterhuis.[3] Total prize money was increased to £15,000 with a first prize of £2,500.[4]

Both 1972 and 1973 tournaments were broadcast extensively on ITV.[5][4] The tournament was cancelled when television coverage could not be arranged in 1974.[6]

1986 revival

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The event returned to the European Tour calendar in 1986 when, under a new sponsorship deal with Bell's, the Glasgow Open, which had been held at Haggs Castle Golf Club from 1983 to 1985, was rebranded as the Scottish Open.[7][8] After remaining at Haggs Castle for the first year, the tournament moved to Gleneagles in 1987 and was played the week before the Open Championship. 1987 also saw the BBC broadcast live coverage of the event, and continued to do so until 1993. It remained at Gleneagles until Bell's withdrew their sponsorship in 1994 following the switch of TV coverage from BBC to SKY that year. In 1995 and 1996 it was held, without a sponsor, at Carnoustie.

The 1986 event had prize money of £130,000 with a first prize of £21,660.[9] This rose to £200,000 with a first prize of £33,330 for the 1987 event at Gleneagles.[10] This had risen to £600,000 and a first prize of £100,000 for the 1992 tournament. Despite the loss of Bell's sponsorship the prize money increased to £650,000 in 1995 but, with the event losing money, this was reduced to £480,000 in 1996.[11]

Loch Lomond

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From 1997 the Scottish Open's pre-Open place on the European Tour schedule was taken by the Loch Lomond World Invitational, which had been first held at Loch Lomond Golf Club in September 1996. The top-60 in the World Rankings were invited but few non-Europeans entered.[12] The event was broadcast by the BBC. From 1997 to 2000 the Loch Lomond event was played the week before the Open Championship. These events did not use the Scottish Open name, the rights to which were owned by ISM. From 2001, it was decided that the Loch Lomond event would be known as the Scottish Open and all prior editions, including the September 1996 event, would be granted Scottish Open status. This resulted in the anomaly of there being two "Scottish Opens" in 1996.[13] The September 1996 event had a first prize of £125,000, rising to £133,330 in 1997 and £183,330 by 2000.

The 2001 Scottish Open was run without a main sponsor but from 2002 it was known as the Barclays Scottish Open, and was played at Loch Lomond until 2010. Some concern was expressed that its parkland course, very different from the links courses on which the Open Championship is played, put European Tour players at a disadvantage compared to their leading rivals from the PGA Tour, who traditionally spent a week practising for the Open on links courses in Ireland.

[edit]

In 2011 it was held at Castle Stuart Golf Links, near Inverness, due to the financial difficulties being suffered by Loch Lomond. Play was reduced to 54 holes (three rounds) in the tournament due to heavy rain, which caused flooding and landslides.[14] Aberdeen Asset Management took over sponsorship in 2012, but the event remained at Castle Stuart in 2012 and 2013 before moving to Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in 2014.[15] It was played at Gullane Golf Club in 2015 and at Castle Stuart Golf Links in 2016.[16] In 2016, the attendance figures at Castle Stuart were disappointing, with a reduction of more than 20,000 to 41,809 over the four tournament days.[17] In 2017 it was held in Ayrshire, for the first time in its current guise, at Dundonald Links, and was played at Gullane again in 2018.[18] Since 2019 the event has been held at the Renaissance Club and is scheduled to remain there until 2026.[19]

Disability event

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From 2019, a 36-hole EDGA (European Disabled Golf Association) Scottish Open event of ten players takes place on the same course on the Saturday and Sunday morning of the main event.[20]

Winners

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European Tour (Rolex Series) 2017–
European Tour (Regular) 1972–1973, 1986–2016
# Year Tour(s)[a] Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Purse[b] Winner's
share[b]
Venue
Genesis Scottish Open
43rd 2025 EUR, PGAT United States Chris Gotterup 265 −15 2 strokes Northern Ireland Rory McIlroy
England Marco Penge
9,000,000 1,575,000 Renaissance
42nd 2024 EUR, PGAT Scotland Robert MacIntyre 262 −18 1 stroke Australia Adam Scott 9,000,000 1,575,000 Renaissance
41st 2023 EUR, PGAT Northern Ireland Rory McIlroy 265 −15 1 stroke Scotland Robert MacIntyre 9,000,000 1,575,000 Renaissance
40th 2022 EUR, PGAT United States Xander Schauffele 273 −7 1 stroke United States Kurt Kitayama 8,000,000 1,440,000 Renaissance
Abrdn Scottish Open
39th 2021 EUR Australia Min Woo Lee 266 −18 Playoff Belgium Thomas Detry
England Matt Fitzpatrick
8,000,000 1,333,330 Renaissance
Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open
38th 2020 EUR England Aaron Rai 273 −11 Playoff England Tommy Fleetwood 7,000,000 1,166,669 Renaissance
37th 2019 EUR Austria Bernd Wiesberger 262 −22 Playoff France Benjamin Hébert 7,000,000 1,166,669 Renaissance
36th 2018 EUR South Africa Brandon Stone 260 −20 4 strokes England Eddie Pepperell 7,000,000 1,166,669 Gullane
Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open
35th 2017 EUR Spain Rafa Cabrera-Bello 275 −13 Playoff England Callum Shinkwin 7,000,000 1,166,669 Dundonald
34th 2016 EUR Sweden Alex Norén 274 −14 1 stroke England Tyrrell Hatton 3,250,000 541,668 Castle Stuart
33rd 2015 EUR United States Rickie Fowler 268 −12 1 stroke France Raphaël Jacquelin
United States Matt Kuchar
3,250,000 541,668 Gullane
32nd 2014 EUR England Justin Rose 268 −16 2 strokes Sweden Kristoffer Broberg 3,000,000 500,000 Royal Aberdeen
31st 2013 EUR United States Phil Mickelson 271 −17 Playoff South Africa Branden Grace 3,000,000 500,000 Castle Stuart
30th 2012 EUR India Jeev Milkha Singh 271 −17 Playoff Italy Francesco Molinari 2,500,000 416,668 Castle Stuart
Barclays Scottish Open
29th 2011 EUR England Luke Donald 197[c] −19 4 strokes Sweden Fredrik Andersson Hed 3,000,000 500,000 Castle Stuart
28th 2010 EUR Italy Edoardo Molinari 272 −12 3 strokes Northern Ireland Darren Clarke 3,000,000 500,000 Loch Lomond
27th 2009 EUR Germany Martin Kaymer 269 −15 2 strokes Spain Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño
France Raphaël Jacquelin
3,000,000 500,000 Loch Lomond
26th 2008 EUR Northern Ireland Graeme McDowell 271 −13 2 strokes South Africa James Kingston 3,000,000 500,000 Loch Lomond
25th 2007 EUR France Grégory Havret 272 −14 Playoff United States Phil Mickelson 3,000,000 500,000 Loch Lomond
24th 2006 EUR Sweden Johan Edfors 271 −13 2 strokes England Luke Donald
Argentina Andrés Romero
South Africa Charl Schwartzel
2,400,000 400,000 Loch Lomond
23rd 2005 EUR South Africa Tim Clark 265 −19 2 strokes Northern Ireland Darren Clarke
Netherlands Maarten Lafeber
2,400,000 400,000 Loch Lomond
22rd 2004 EUR France Thomas Levet 269 −15 1 stroke New Zealand Michael Campbell 2,200,000 366,660 Loch Lomond
21st 2003 EUR South Africa Ernie Els (2) 267 −17 5 strokes Northern Ireland Darren Clarke
Wales Phillip Price
2,200,000 366,660 Loch Lomond
20th 2002 EUR Argentina Eduardo Romero 273 −11 Playoff Sweden Freddie Jacobson 2,200,000 366,660 Loch Lomond
Scottish Open
19th 2001 EUR South Africa Retief Goosen 268 −16 3 strokes Denmark Thomas Bjørn 2,200,000 366,660 Loch Lomond
Standard Life Loch Lomond
18th 2000 EUR South Africa Ernie Els 273 −11 1 stroke United States Tom Lehman 1,100,000 183,330 Loch Lomond
17th 1999 EUR Scotland Colin Montgomerie 268 −16 3 strokes Spain Sergio García
Sweden Michael Jonzon
Sweden Mats Lanner
1,000,000 166,660 Loch Lomond
16th 1998 EUR England Lee Westwood 276 −8 4 strokes Australia Robert Allenby
Sweden Dennis Edlund
England David Howell
Argentina Eduardo Romero
Wales Ian Woosnam
850,000 141,660 Loch Lomond
Gulfstream Loch Lomond World Invitational
15th 1997 EUR United States Tom Lehman 265 −19 5 strokes South Africa Ernie Els 800,000 133,330 Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond World Invitational
14th 1996[d] EUR Denmark Thomas Bjørn 277 −7 1 stroke France Jean van de Velde 750,000 125,000 Loch Lomond
Scottish Open
13th 1996[d] EUR Wales Ian Woosnam (3) 289 +1 4 strokes Scotland Andrew Coltart 480,000 80,000 Carnoustie
12th 1995 EUR Australia Wayne Riley 276 −12 2 strokes England Nick Faldo 650,000 108,330 Carnoustie
Bell's Scottish Open
11th 1994 EUR England Carl Mason 265 −15 1 stroke England Peter Mitchell 600,000 100,000 Gleneagles
(King's Course)
10th 1993 EUR Sweden Jesper Parnevik 271 −9 5 strokes United States Payne Stewart 600,000 100,000 Gleneagles
(King's Course)
9th 1992 EUR Australia Peter O'Malley 262 −18 2 strokes Scotland Colin Montgomerie 600,000 100,000 Gleneagles
(King's Course)
8th 1991 EUR Australia Craig Parry 268 −12 1 stroke Zimbabwe Mark McNulty 500,000 83,330 Gleneagles
(King's Course)
7th 1990 EUR Wales Ian Woosnam (2) 269 −15 4 strokes Zimbabwe Mark McNulty 400,000 66,660 Gleneagles
(King's Course)
6th 1989 EUR United States Michael Allen 272 −8 2 strokes Spain José María Olazábal
Wales Ian Woosnam
300,000 50,000 Gleneagles
(King's Course)
5th 1988 EUR England Barry Lane 271 −13 3 strokes Scotland Sandy Lyle
Spain José Rivero
250,000 41,660 Gleneagles
(King's Course)
4th 1987 EUR Wales Ian Woosnam 264 −20 7 strokes Australia Peter Senior 200,000 33,330 Gleneagles
(King's Course)
3rd 1986 EUR Northern Ireland David Feherty 270 −14 Playoff Australia Ian Baker-Finch
Republic of Ireland Christy O'Connor Jnr
130,000 21,660 Haggs Castle
1974–1985: No tournament
Sunbeam Electric Scottish Open
2nd 1973 EUR Australia Graham Marsh 286 −2 6 strokes England Peter Oosterhuis 15,000 2,500 St Andrews
1st 1972 EUR England Neil Coles 283 −5 Playoff Wales Brian Huggett 10,000 2,000 Downfield

Sources:[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]

Previous event of same name

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Scottish Open
Tournament information
LocationScotland Scotland
Established1935
FormatStroke play
Final year1936
Final champion
Scotland Jimmy Adams

In 1935 Gleneagles hosted a Scottish Open Championship held on the King's course. Total prize money was £750.[30] The R&A objected to the use of the term "Championship" being used for a tournament organised by a private enterprise.[31] Percy Alliss won the tournament by 4 strokes from Jack Busson with an aggregate of 273.[32] The 1936 tournament was sponsored by Penfold and known as the Penfold Scottish Open. Penfold had sponsored tournaments in Wales and England from 1932 to 1934. The tournament was played at Ayr Belleisle Golf Club. Total prize money was again £750. After 72 holes Jimmy Adams and Tom Collinge tied on 287.[33] In the 36-hole playoff, Adams had rounds of 68 and 69 and won by 11 strokes.[34] It was intended to hold the 1937 Penfold Scottish Open in the Carnoustie area, just before the 1937 Open Championship which was to be played there. The R&A objected to the arrangement and the event was cancelled.[35] Penfold resumed their golf sponsorship with the Penfold Professional Golf League in 1938.

# Year Winner Score Margin of
victory
Runner-up Venue
Penfold Scottish Open
2nd 1936 Scotland Jimmy Adams 287 Playoff England Tom Collinge Belleisle
Scottish Open Championship
1st 1935 England Percy Alliss 273 4 strokes England Jack Busson Gleneagles (King's)

See also

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Notes

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Genesis Scottish Open is a premier professional men's tournament co-sanctioned by the and the DP World Tour, held annually in as the final event before . It features a competitive field of 156 top international players vying for a substantial prize purse in a 72-hole format on a challenging links-style course, emphasizing skills essential for the subsequent major. The modern tournament was established in 1972, reviving an earlier iteration first held in 1935, and has evolved into one of Europe's most prestigious events, offering qualification spots to The Open for the top three non-exempt finishers and attracting major champions and world-ranked stars. The tournament's origins trace back to 1972, when it debuted as the Sunbeam Electric Scottish Open at Downfield Golf Club in Dundee, with Neil Coles defeating Brian Huggett in a playoff to claim the inaugural title. After just two editions, it paused until 1986, returning as the Bell's Scottish Open at Haggs Castle Golf Club, before solidifying its place on the European Tour schedule in 1987 at Gleneagles. Positioned the week before The Open Championship since 1987, it has served as a vital tune-up for links golf, with sponsorships evolving from early backers like Standard Life and Barclays to the current Genesis title since 2021. Co-sanctioning with the PGA Tour began in 2022, elevating the event's global profile and prize money from an initial £10,000 in 1972 to $9 million in 2025. In its standard format, the Genesis Scottish Open unfolds over four days in July, with players competing in groups of three starting from the 1st and 10th tees each round. A 36-hole cut reduces the field to the top 65 players and ties, culminating in a winner determined by the lowest 72-hole score, with ties resolved by sudden-death playoff. The 2025 edition took place from July 10-13 at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, a par-70 Tom Doak-designed layout measuring 7,237 yards, where American Chris Gotterup secured his first PGA Tour victory by outdueling Rory McIlroy and others for a $1.575 million first-place prize. This venue has hosted the event exclusively since 2019 under a long-term agreement through 2026, following stints at courses like Castle Stuart (2011-2018), Loch Lomond (1999-2010), and historic sites such as St Andrews and Carnoustie. The tournament's legacy is marked by iconic champions who have shaped its reputation, including , the only player with three victories (1987, 1990, 1996). Other multiple winners feature (2000, 2003) and (1993), alongside single-title holders like (2013) and (2002). Recent dominance includes (2022), (2023), (2024, the first Scottish winner in 25 years), and Chris Gotterup (2025). As Scotland's national open, it celebrates the country's golfing heritage while providing a high-stakes platform for emerging talents and established stars to hone their game on authentic terrain.

History

Origins and initial events (1972–1973)

The Scottish Open was established in 1972 by the , then in its inaugural season, as a new professional tournament to bolster the tour's schedule and promote the sport within . Sponsored by Sunbeam Electric, the event debuted at Downfield Golf Club in from June 28 to July 1, marking the first edition of what would become a recurring fixture on the European professional circuit. The 1972 tournament featured a field primarily composed of European Tour professionals and select invitees, drawing around 100 players to compete over 72 holes of on the par-72 layout. Neil Coles of emerged victorious, defeating Brian Huggett of in a sudden-death playoff after both finished at 5 under par 283; Coles birdied the second playoff hole to secure the win. The event offered a total purse of £10,000, with Coles claiming the first prize of £2,000, highlighting the modest stakes of the tour's early days. In 1973, the tournament relocated to the prestigious , positioning it as an ideal tune-up event just two weeks before at Royal Troon. of dominated the field, posting a total of 286 (2 under par) to win by six strokes over England's Peter Oosterhuis, with the purse expanded to £15,000 and Marsh earning £2,500 for his breakthrough victory on British soil. The event retained its invitation-based qualification, emphasizing top European Tour members and international pros to foster competitive depth. Following the 1973 edition, the Scottish Open was paused indefinitely due to the inability to secure television broadcast rights for 1974, compounded by its relatively low prestige as a new event and scheduling pressures from the denser European Tour calendar. This hiatus lasted until 1986, reflecting the challenges of embedding a national open into the professional landscape amid limited sponsorship and media support.

Revival and expansion (1986–1998)

The Scottish Open was revived in 1986 by the as a means to rekindle in professional following a 13-year absence from the schedule, replacing the short-lived Glasgow Open and marking the event's return to prominence on the tour calendar. Held at Haggs Castle in , the inaugural edition featured a prize fund of £130,000 and attracted a competitive field, with Northern Ireland's emerging victorious after a playoff against Scotland's , both finishing at 270 (-14). This success underscored the tournament's potential, blending Scottish heritage with international appeal and setting the stage for its expansion. From 1987 to 1994, the event found a stable home at the King's Course at Gleneagles, an inland parkland layout in that offered a contrast to traditional links play and hosted eight consecutive editions. ' dominated early, winning in 1987 with a record-low 264 (-20), seven strokes ahead of England's Roger , and again in 1990 at 269 (-15), four clear of Zimbabwe's amid steady conditions that favored precise ball-striking. Other notable champions included England's in 1988 (271, -13 by two shots over Sam ) and Sweden's in 1993 (271, -9 in windy play), highlighting the course's demands for power and accuracy while drawing top European talent as a vital preparation for the following week. In 1995 and 1996, the tournament shifted to , embracing a stern links challenge with its notorious burn and firm turf that tested shot-making under coastal winds. New Zealand's claimed the 1995 title at 280 (-4), edging England's by one stroke in a battle of resilience against the notoriously tough layout. Sweden's followed in 1996, winning at 275 (-9) by three shots over England's , capitalizing on Carnoustie's strategic demands to secure his breakthrough European Tour victory. These years emphasized the event's evolving prestige, with prize money growing from £130,000 in 1986 to £850,000 by 1998 and the field expanding to 156 players, reflecting increased global participation and its role as the premier pre-Open tune-up.

The Loch Lomond years (1999–2010)

In 1999, the Scottish Open relocated to , an inland parkland venue near , , marking the start of a 12-year stint away from traditional coastal links courses. The move was facilitated by sponsorship from , with the event organized as the Standard Life Loch Lomond Scottish Open; claimed the inaugural victory at the new site, finishing at 16-under-par 268 for a three-stroke margin over runners-up , , and Alberto Rivabellosa. The club, designed by with input from and opened in 1993, offered a 7,237-yard par-72 layout characterized by tree-lined fairways, strategic water hazards including the scenic along several holes, and undulating terrain that emphasized precision over raw power. The era brought stability to the tournament's scheduling as a key pre-Open Championship event, with prize money expanding significantly—from £1.1 million in 2000 to a record £3 million by 2010—reflecting increased commercial appeal and field strength. Sponsorship shifted to in 2002, rebranding the event as the Barclays Scottish Open through 2010, which helped elevate its prestige by securing invitations for elite American players and fostering stronger international fields on the European Tour. Notable participants included , who competed in 2000 (T6 finish) and 2005 (T25), underscoring the event's growing draw for stars preparing for majors. Winners during this period showcased the course's birdie-friendly nature in milder conditions, with several posting low totals amid minimal wind interference compared to play. secured back-to-back triumphs in 2000 (11-under 273 via playoff over ) and 2003 (17-under 267 by one stroke over Iain Steel), while prevailed in 2001 at 16-under 268. Other champions included (2002, 11-under 273 via playoff), Thomas Levet (2004, 11-under 277), Timothy Clark (2005, 16-under 268), Johan Edfors (2006, 16-under 268), (2007, 16-under 268 via playoff), (2008, 13-under 271), (2009, 15-under 269), and (2010, 12-under 272). Despite the era's successes in attendance and purses, the non-links format faced criticism for straying from Scotland's golfing heritage and providing suboptimal preparation for The Open Championship's windy, firm conditions. Players and observers noted that the sheltered parkland setting, less prone to erratic weather, diminished the event's authenticity as a "Scottish" Open and reduced its value as tune-up.
YearWinnerScore (to par)MarginPurse (approx.)
1999268 (−16)3 strokes£1.5 million
2000273 (−11)Playoff£1.1 million
2001268 (−16)2 strokes£2.2 million
2002273 (−11)Playoff£2.5 million
2003267 (−17)1 stroke£2.7 million
2004Thomas Levet277 (−11)2 strokes£2.8 million
2005Timothy Clark268 (−16)2 strokes£2.9 million
2006Johan Edfors268 (−16)2 strokes£3.0 million
2007268 (−16)Playoff£3.0 million
2008271 (−13)2 strokes£3.0 million
2009269 (−15)2 strokes£3.0 million
2010272 (−12)3 strokes£3.0 million
In 2011, the Scottish Open returned to its traditional roots on coastal links courses, marking a deliberate shift from the inland parkland setting of to embrace Scotland's historic golfing heritage. The tournament debuted at Golf Links near , where England's claimed victory with a final-round 63 to finish at 19-under-par 197 in the rain-shortened 54-hole event. This relocation was part of a broader effort by the European Tour to align the event more closely with the links-style challenges of , which it precedes annually. The venue rotated among classic Scottish in subsequent years to showcase diverse coastal layouts, including Castle Stuart again in 2012, 2013, and 2016; Royal Aberdeen in 2014; Gullane Golf Club in 2015 and 2018; and Dundonald Links in 2017. Since 2019, The Renaissance Club in has served as the permanent home, a modern Tom Doak-designed course that emulates traditional with its windswept dunes and firm turf, hosting the event consistently through 2025. This nomadic yet -focused approach in the early revitalized the tournament's identity, drawing praise for restoring authenticity after the era. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the schedule in 2020, postponing the event from its customary July slot to October 1–4 at The Renaissance Club, where it was played without spectators amid rising cases in . of won in a playoff against , finishing at 11-under-par 273, highlighting the tournament's resilience during global restrictions. The 2021 edition returned to normalcy at the same venue, with of prevailing at 18-under-par. A pivotal development occurred in 2022 when the Scottish Open became co-sanctioned by the and DP World Tour, the first such partnership for the event, which elevated its status and attracted top global talent including multiple major champions. Title sponsorship from Genesis accompanied this change, boosting the purse to $8 million—up significantly from prior years—with winner earning $1.4 million at 7-under-par 273. The co-sanctioning continued to strengthen fields, as seen in 2023 when dominated at 15-under-par 265 for a two-shot victory, and in 2024 when Scotland's ended a 25-year for a home winner with an 18-under-par 262, securing his second DP World Tour title of the season. By 2025, the purse had risen to $9 million, underscoring the event's growing prestige. As a Rolex Series event on the DP World Tour schedule, the Genesis Scottish Open maintains its position the week before The Open Championship, serving as a key tune-up for links golf while awarding FedExCup points to PGA Tour participants and Race to Dubai credits. In 2025, American Chris Gotterup captured the title at The Renaissance Club with a 15-under-par total of 265, two strokes ahead of runners-up Rory McIlroy and Marco Penge, clinching his second PGA Tour victory and a spot in the subsequent major. This era has solidified the tournament's role as a premier international fixture, blending Scottish tradition with elite competition.

Tournament overview

Format and qualification

The Genesis Scottish Open is contested over 72 holes of across four days, with players competing in threesomes during the first two rounds divided into morning and afternoon waves, followed by pairings based on scores for the final two rounds. After 36 holes, a cut is made to the top 65 players and ties, all of whom proceed to complete the tournament. In the event of a tie after 72 holes, a sudden-death playoff is held starting on the 18th hole and repeating as necessary. The field consists of 156 players, drawn primarily from the and DP World Tour as a co-sanctioned event. Qualification paths include the top 30 finishers from the prior season's FedExCup points list, leading players in the current FedExCup standings, top performers in the Race to Dubai rankings, and winners of recent Rolex Series and other major events on the DP World Tour. Past champions receive exemptions, typically for multiple years, while sponsor exemptions fill additional spots, including invitations to Scottish professionals and select international players such as those from the KPGA Tour. Players in the top 50 of the are often included through these ranking-based categories. Course setup adheres to links golf standards, with par typically ranging from 70 to 72 and yardages between 6,800 and 7,300 yards, as seen in the 2025 edition at The Renaissance Club (par 70, 7,282 yards). The layout features fescue grass throughout fairways, rough, and greens, emphasizing wind management and ground game strategies common to coastal courses. Local rules may include preferred lies (summer rules) to account for uneven lies in thicker fescue areas during drier conditions, ensuring fair play without altering the inherent challenges of links terrain. The 2025 purse totaled $9 million, distributed according to standard and Tour guidelines, with the winner receiving $1.575 million—approximately 17.5% of the total. Payouts decrease progressively for lower finishers, with equal awarded to professionals regardless of nationality, though the event remains limited to male players on these tours.

Venues

The Scottish Open has been hosted at a diverse array of venues throughout , showcasing the nation's rich heritage from classic parkland layouts to rugged courses. These locations have evolved with the , initially favoring inland sites before shifting to coastal in recent decades to better align with the demands of links-style play and preparation for . This progression underscores the event's role as a key tune-up for majors, with venues selected for their challenging terrain, historical prestige, and ability to deliver firm, fast conditions typical of Scottish .
Year(s)VenueLocationParYardsDesigner(s)Key Features
1972Downfield Golf ClubDundee, Angus726,803James Braid (1932), C.K. Cotton (restructuring, 1964)Parkland course with mature trees and water hazards, serving as the inaugural host.
1973Old Course at St AndrewsSt Andrews, Fife727,305Old Tom Morris (with historical evolution)Iconic links with double greens and 112 bunkers, known as the "home of golf" and frequent Open venue.
1986Haggs Castle Golf ClubGlasgow726,426James Braid (original), Dave Thomas (1990s updates)Inland parkland with strategic bunkering, marking the tournament's revival after a hiatus.
1987–1994King's Course at GleneaglesAuchterarder, Perthshire726,481James Braid (1919)Expansive parkland with undulating fairways and heather, hosting eight consecutive events during a stable era.
1995–1996Carnoustie Golf Links (Championship Course)Carnoustie, Angus727,421Allan Robertson, Old Tom Morris, James BraidBrutal links with burn crossings and wind exposure, renovated post-1995 to heighten challenge for future majors like the 1999 Open.
1997–2010Loch Lomond Golf ClubLuss, Dunbartonshire727,100Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish (1994)Scenic parkland along the loch with elevation changes and water views, hosting 14 editions (1997 as Gulfstream Loch Lomond World Invitational).
2011–2013, 2016Castle Stuart Golf LinksInverness727,009Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse (2009)Modern clifftop links with sweeping Moray Firth views and natural dunes, emphasizing strategic shot-making.
2014Royal Aberdeen Golf Club (Balgownie Links)Aberdeen727,279James Braid (1920s, with historical elements)Traditional links with gorse and North Sea winds, hosting for the first time in the modern era.
2015, 2018Gullane Golf Club (No. 1 Course)Gullane, East Lothian716,607Willie Park Jr. (1894)Classic heathland-links hybrid with firm turf and pot bunkers, pivotal in reintroducing traditional links play to the event.
2017Dundonald LinksIrvine, North Ayrshire726,873David McLay Kidd (2005)Modern links inspired by Royal Dornoch, with undulating dunes and coastal exposure.
2019–presentThe Renaissance ClubNorth Berwick, East Lothian707,282Tom Doak (2008)Contemporary links with pot bunkers, sea panoramas, and fescue grasses, designed for wind-influenced recovery shots.
Venues such as St Andrews and Carnoustie hold profound historical significance, having hosted multiple Open Championships and embodying the birthplace of modern golf; St Andrews alone has staged The Open 30 times, linking the Scottish Open directly to the sport's foundational traditions. Gullane's selection in 2015 marked a deliberate return to authentic links golf after the parkland-focused Loch Lomond era, revitalizing the tournament's identity as a precursor to The Open by emphasizing bouncy lies and wind management. Course preparation for the Scottish Open prioritizes firm and fast running surfaces on fescue-dominated fairways and greens, mimicking the testing conditions of The Open to aid player ; this involves meticulous , including minimal and wind exposure to promote low ball flights. Notable renovations, such as those at following the 1995 event—which included lengthening holes and restoring bunkers—enhanced its severity for subsequent majors, ensuring enduring suitability for elite competition.

Sponsorship and media coverage

The Scottish Open lacked a formal title sponsor until 1986, when revived the event as the Bell's Scottish Open. Following the end of Bell's sponsorship in 1994, the 1995 and 1996 editions were held without a title sponsor. Sponsorship resumed in 1997 with Gulfstream (as the Loch Lomond World Invitational), followed by from 1998 to 2000, before returning to neutral branding in 2001. Barclays assumed title sponsorship in 2002, rebranding it the Barclays Scottish Open and supporting the event through 2011 at venues like . Following ' departure, became the title sponsor starting in 2012, with the agreement extended through 2020 amid a merger that saw it rebranded as Aberdeen Standard Investments from 2019 onward. In 2022, Genesis, the luxury automotive division of , took over as title sponsor, renaming the event the Genesis Scottish Open to align with its global branding strategy in premium sports partnerships. Genesis extended this deal in July 2025 for multiple years through 2030, emphasizing its commitment to golf's international growth and community impact. Media coverage has expanded significantly with the tournament's co-sanctioning by the PGA Tour and DP World Tour since 2022, enhancing its global visibility. In the United States, broadcasts air on Golf Channel for early rounds and CBS for the weekend, complemented by streaming on PGA Tour Live via ESPN+ starting from early morning tee times. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports provides comprehensive live coverage across all four rounds, with additional international streaming available through the DP World Tour's platform. The 2022 debut of co-sanctioning drove a surge in U.S. viewership, with the final round averaging 1.58 million viewers and peaking at 2.2 million, more than triple the digital consumption from the prior year. The Genesis Scottish Open generates substantial economic benefits for , particularly in and . The 2024 edition contributed a net impact of £19.2 million to the national economy, including £10.8 million from visitor spending and £7.8 million directly to the host region of , while supporting 234 jobs overall. These figures underscore the event's role in boosting local businesses, with annual projections often ranging from £10 million to £15 million in broader uplift through accommodations, dining, and related services.

Disability Open

Introduction and format

The Disability Open, also known as the EDGA Scottish Open, is a dedicated tournament for golfers with disabilities. The inaugural event in 2019, launched by the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA), ran parallel to the main Scottish Open professional event over the weekend of July 13–14 at the same venue, The Renaissance Club, serving as an inclusive platform to promote golf among players with various impairments and marking the first such pairing with a Rolex Series event. The 2019 tournament followed a 36-hole format, limited to 10 international players selected across categories, including intellectual and physical impairments, to ensure competitive balance. Following a hiatus from 2020 to 2023, the event was revived in 2024 as the PING Scottish Open for Golfers with a , organized separately by Scottish in partnership with EDGA and , held earlier in the year (May) at different venues with expanded fields. Open to both male and female golfers, the competition features gross and net divisions, permitting the use of adaptive equipment to accommodate individual needs while maintaining fair play under EDGA's World Ranking for Golfers with (WR4GD) guidelines. To promote inclusivity, the Disability Open integrates with broader golf initiatives through shared facilities where applicable, free spectator access, and on-site clinics offering introductory golf lessons for fans with disabilities. These elements aim to inspire broader engagement and break down barriers in the sport. Since 2024, PING has served as the title sponsor, supporting the event's growth with a modest prize fund of approximately £5,000 distributed across categories.

Past champions and developments

The Disability Open, initially launched as the EDGA Scottish Open in 2019 alongside the main professional event at The , marked a significant step in inclusive . The inaugural champion was Ireland's Brendan Lawlor, who overcame a challenging first-round score of 77 to post a 71 in the second round, finishing at 148 (6 over par) for a one-shot victory over England's George Groves, the world number one in the EDGA rankings at the time. Following a hiatus from 2020 to 2023, likely influenced by the and scheduling adjustments, the tournament was revived in 2024 under the banner of the PING Scottish Open for Golfers with a , organized by Scottish Golf in partnership with EDGA and . This revival expanded access to male and female golfers across various impairment groups under EDGA's WR4DG classification system, emphasizing without separate category divisions for the overall title. The 2024 event at Cardrona Golf & Country Club saw Australia's Wayne Perske claim the title with a two-round total of 143 (3 under par), securing a three-shot margin over England's Cassidy Steffens and Scotland's Gordon McLay. Perske's victory was particularly inspirational, coming just four months after severe back injuries that had sidelined him, highlighting the tournament's role in fostering resilience among participants. In 2025, at Rowallan Castle Golf Club, England's Oliver Hirst-Greenham dominated with a seven-shot triumph over Scotland's Barry Wearing, despite nursing a broken bone in his wrist, in what became the event's largest field to date with record international entries.
YearVenueChampionScoreMargin
2019The Renaissance ClubBrendan Lawlor (Ireland)148 (6 over par)1 shot
2024Cardrona Golf & Country ClubWayne Perske ()143 (3 under par)3 shots
2025Rowallan Castle Golf ClubOliver Hirst-Greenham ()Not publicly detailed7 shots
Post-revival developments have focused on broadening participation and support structures. Scottish Golf has partnered with EDGA to integrate the event into wider initiatives, including the launch of a Community Disability Hub in 2025, which provides funding and resources to local clubs for golf programs, aiming to inspire thousands of new players. Looking ahead, organizers plan to increase field sizes annually and explore deeper integration with pro-am elements of the main Scottish Open to enhance visibility and competitive pathways for disabled golfers.

Winners and records

List of professional winners

The professional Scottish Open, now known as the Genesis Scottish Open, has a sporadic history prior to its establishment as a regular tour event in 1972. Early iterations in were held as invitational or sponsored professional championships, with limited records available. Below is a table summarizing verified winners from that era, followed by a comprehensive table of winners since 1972, including key performance details where documented.

Pre-1972 Professional Winners

YearWinnerVenueScoreMargin
1935Percy Alliss (ENG)Gleneagles2734 strokes
1936Ayr Belleisle Golf Club287Playoff

Winners Since 1972

YearVenueWinnerScoreTo ParMarginPurse
1972Downfield Golf ClubNeil Coles (ENG)283−5Playoff
1973286−26 strokes
1986Haggs Castle270−14Playoff
1987Gleneagles Resort264−207 strokes
1988Gleneagles Resort271−133 strokes
1989Gleneagles ResortMichael Allen (USA)272−82 strokes
1990Gleneagles Resort269−154 strokes
1991Gleneagles Resort268−121 stroke
1992Gleneagles Resort262−182 strokes
1993Gleneagles Resort271−95 strokes
1994Gleneagles ResortCarl Mason (ENG)265−151 stroke
1995276−122 strokes
1996289+14 strokes
1996277−71 stroke
1997265−195 strokes
1998276−84 strokes
1999268−163 strokes
2000273−111 stroke
2001268−163 strokes
2002273−11Playoff
2003267−175 strokes
2004Thomas Levet (FRA)269−151 stroke
2005Tim Clark (RSA)265−192 strokes
2006Johan Edfors (SWE)271−132 strokes
2007Grégory Havret (FRA)272−14Playoff
2008271−132 strokes
2009269−152 strokes
2010272−123 strokes
2011197−194 strokes
2012271−17Playoff
2013271−17Playoff
2014Royal Aberdeen Golf Club268−162 strokes
2015Gullane Golf Club268−121 stroke
2016274−141 stroke
2017Dundonald LinksRafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP)275−13Playoff
2018Gullane Golf ClubBrandon Stone (RSA)260−204 strokes
2019262−22Playoff
2020273−11Playoff
2021266−18Playoff
2022273−71 stroke
2023265−151 stroke
2024262−181 stroke$9,000,000
2025Chris Gotterup (USA)265−152 strokes$9,000,000
Ian Woosnam holds the record for most victories with three (1987, 1990, 1996), followed by Ernie Els with two (2000, 2003). Lee Westwood has one win (1998). Winners have represented 15 nationalities since 1972, with England (7 wins) and the United States (6 wins) leading, followed by Australia and South Africa (5 wins each), and Scotland (2 wins).

Notable achievements and statistics

The tournament's scoring records highlight the evolution of play at modern links venues like The , where calm conditions have enabled exceptionally low totals. The lowest 72-hole aggregate is 260 (−20), set by South Africa's Brandon Stone in 2018, while the to-par record of −22 has been achieved twice, by France's Benjamin Hébert and Austria's in 2019. In 2025, American Chris Gotterup won with a 265 (−15), tying for the third-lowest score in event history at the par-70 layout. The 18-hole record of 61 (−9) has been matched several times, most recently by Gotterup in the second round of 2025 and England's Richard Mansell in 2024. Multiple victories underscore the event's appeal to elite European players in its early professional era. Englishman holds the record with three wins (1987, 1990, 1996), followed by with two (2000, 2003). No player has won more than once since co-sanctioning began in 2022, reflecting the intensified competition from global fields. Winners' nationalities reveal a shift from European dominance to broader international success, particularly post-2022. Of the 43 professional editions through 2025, 27 have been claimed by Europeans (including Scots like in 1999 and in 2024, the latter ending a 25-year drought for a home victor), with eight by Americans and the rest by players from , , and elsewhere. Since co-sanctioning with the , American winners have prevailed in two of four events ( in 2022 and Gotterup in 2025), signaling heightened U.S. participation. Notable highlights include dramatic aces and blowout victories that have defined memorable editions. Colombian Nico Echavarría recorded a hole-in-one on the par-3 sixth hole (the "stadium hole") in the final round of 2025, earning a Genesis GV60 vehicle and securing a fan trip to the Genesis Championship. The largest winning margin is seven strokes, achieved by Woosnam in 1987. Trends in winning scores demonstrate the impact of weather and elevated field quality under co-sanctioning. Early editions often saw victors at around −12 (e.g., −9 by Parnevik in 1993), but modern play at exposed coastal sites has produced extremes: −7 in the windy 2022 edition versus −18 by MacIntyre in calmer 2024. Since 2022, average winning scores have hovered near −13, supported by stronger fields averaging a top-30 Official World Golf Ranking entry (e.g., eight of the top 10 and 24 of the top 50 in 2025), which has boosted overall scoring averages to sub-70 in favorable conditions while maintaining the event's links challenge.

References

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