The final tune-up before The Open arrives tomorrow, and the Genesis Scottish Open has assembled a stacked board at The Renaissance Club. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 2 Rory McIlroy headline a co-sanctioned field that also welcomes Jon Rahm back for his first PGA Tour-sanctioned start since 2024.
The most compelling storyline, though, belongs to defending champion Chris Gotterup, who lands in North Berwick days after winning the John Deere Classic. Scheffler sits atop the market at +600, but the value on this seaside links may live further down the board. Below we break down the favorite, our top pick, a value play, and one secondary-market angle.
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
2026 Genesis Scottish Open — Time & How to Watch
| Where | The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, Scotland |
| When | Thursday, July 9 – Round 1 coverage from 11 a.m. ET |
| TV | Golf Channel (streaming on ESPN+) |
Pre-Tournament Report
The Genesis Scottish Open remains the strongest field of the pre-Open stretch, jointly sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour and carrying a $9 million purse. Six of the world’s top 10 are teeing it up, down from eight a year ago. Scheffler, McIlroy, Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele all headline, and Rahm’s return to a Tour-sanctioned event adds intrigue.
The field is not without gaps. Tony Finau and Brooks Koepka are among the notable withdrawals, and Joaquin Niemann took the week off. Even so, 156 players will chase the title, with the cut falling at the top 65 and ties after Friday.
The Renaissance Club plays as a par 70 at roughly 7,282 yards, and it rewards a specific skill set. This is links golf, so the wind is the great equalizer. The fairways offer enough width to let big hitters swing freely, and history shows distance has mattered more here than pure accuracy. Recent leaderboards have featured players who ranked below the field average in driving accuracy, so flighting the ball and controlling launch windows in the breeze matter more than hitting every fairway. When the wind climbs, misses around the greens grow expensive and patience becomes an edge.
The recent winners’ list underlines the pedigree required. Gotterup broke through in 2025, Robert MacIntyre delivered a home victory in 2024, McIlroy captured the 2023 edition, and Schauffele won in 2022. Every one of those names is back in the field this week.
2026 Genesis Scottish Open — Top Odds to Win
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | +600 |
| Rory McIlroy | +1000 |
| Jon Rahm | +1800 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | +1800 |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | +2000 |
| Xander Schauffele | +2000 |
| Ludvig Aberg | +2200 |
| Chris Gotterup | +2800 |
| Tyrrell Hatton | +2800 |
| Robert MacIntyre | +3000 |
Odds accurate as of July 8, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest Golf Odds – Props
Top Pick to Win — Scottie Scheffler
The Pick: Scottie Scheffler to win (+600)
Scheffler is the shortest price on the board for a reason. The world’s top-ranked player has made the cut in all 14 of his starts this season and finished inside the top 25 every time, with nine top-five results. That is the kind of floor that travels to any course and any conditions. His ball-striking remains the best in the game, and a course that prizes control over the ball’s flight in the wind fits a player who rarely beats himself.
The case against is really about price and conversion. Scheffler has won just once in 2026 despite all that consistency, losing a playoff to Viktor Hovland at the Travelers and getting run down by Fitzpatrick at Harbour Town. He also lacks a deep track record at The Renaissance Club, and links variance can turn a clean ball-striking week into a middling result when the wind does not cooperate. At +600 you are paying near-major prices for a player who has been elite yet beatable. Still, in a field this deep, backing the most reliable performer on the planet is the sturdiest single-name position available.
Value Play — Chris Gotterup
The Value Play: Chris Gotterup to win (+2800)
No player in the field arrives hotter or more comfortable. Gotterup is the defending champion at this exact venue, and he lands in Scotland straight off a come-from-behind win at the John Deere Classic, his third title of 2026. His length and aggressive driving are a clean match for a course that has consistently rewarded distance over fairway-finding, and he already knows how to close here.
The counterpoint is the turnaround. Winning in Illinois on Sunday and flying transatlantic to defend a title is demanding, and letdowns are common after breakthrough weeks. Defending against a field with six top-10 players only raises the bar. But at +2800 for a red-hot winner with course history, the price offers far more upside than the single-digit favorites. He is our preferred outright value this week.
Tournament Outlook — Picks and Final Thoughts
Beyond the outright, TheSpread.com’s board also lists a Winner Without Scottie Scheffler market for bettors who expect the favorite to fall short on an unfamiliar links. In that market, Rory McIlroy is the top choice at +750. McIlroy won this event in 2023, ranks second in the world, and his combination of speed and links pedigree travels well when the wind blows. The case against is his own inconsistency in scrappy conditions, but taking him to lead the field if Scheffler stumbles is a reasonable secondary angle.
As for how the week plays out, wind is usually the biggest variable at a links like this. With width off the tee and reachable par 5s, calm conditions can produce low numbers, while a stiff breeze tends to push the winning total closer to double digits under par than the mid-teens. Watch the tee-time draw, note who is flighting irons best, and remember these are the last competitive links reps before The Open at Royal Birkdale.
To recap our card for the 2026 Genesis Scottish Open: Scottie Scheffler to win (+600) as the top pick, Chris Gotterup to win (+2800) as the value play, and Rory McIlroy (+750) as the top player in the Winner Without Scottie Scheffler market. For the full market and how it moved this week, see our Genesis Scottish Open odds preview.
FAQ — 2026 Genesis Scottish Open
Who is the favorite to win the 2026 Genesis Scottish Open?
Scottie Scheffler is the favorite at +600 via TheSpread.com, ahead of Rory McIlroy at +1000.
When does the 2026 Genesis Scottish Open start?
Round 1 is Thursday, July 9, 2026, at The Renaissance Club, with television coverage beginning at 11 a.m. ET.
What channel is the Genesis Scottish Open on?
Coverage airs on Golf Channel, with weekend rounds also on CBS, and streaming available through ESPN+ (PGA Tour Live).
Who won the Genesis Scottish Open last year?
Chris Gotterup won the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club and returns to defend the title.
What is the par and yardage at The Renaissance Club?
The Renaissance Club plays as a par 70 measuring approximately 7,282 yards for the tournament.
What is the purse for the 2026 Genesis Scottish Open?
The 2026 Genesis Scottish Open carries a $9 million purse.