Heading across the pond! Links golf is always so much fun, and this is an enjoyable stretch to watch as a fan. Links style golf requires innovative shot making, and getting the right end of the draw based on the weather. The Genesis Scottish Open is played at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland. It was designed by the famous Tom Doak, and can be stretched out to about 7,300 yards from the tips. As always, I will be taking ball strikers this week. The weather on day 1 looks to be quite gusty, but after that, it is supposed to calm down, so you can expect to see some birdies on the weekend. This field has all the top guys in it, as this is their final tune up before the year’s final major, the Open Championship. Robert MacIntyre is looking for the two-peat (insane to think about), as the defending champion. He will be joined by the favorite, Scottie Scheffler, as well as the Masters Champ, Rory McIlroy, and a host of other contenders.
Links style golf is very different, and I can’t see Patrick Rodgers’ game holding up in the wind. He’s made 13/20 cuts on the year, and that includes missing the last three cuts in the events he’s played in. He’s been losing strokes consistently on approach, and if that continues, he will have no chance to compete this week at the Genesis Scottish Open.
We are going out on a limb here. I really like Thomas Detry’s game, and his name seems to pop up on leaderboards during big events. He’s got multiple top 10s this year, including a win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He’s been gaining strokes off the tee, but has lost on approach recently. If he can change this, you can expect to see his name on another leaderboard.
The man has never won on the PGA Tour, but he does have success in Europe. Tommy Fleetwood has five top 10s this year, while only missing one cut. He’s quietly put together a nice season, but is still chasing that elusive win this year. According to Data Golf, Tommy has been gaining strokes in most categories, especially off the tee and approach. As always, if Tommy wants to win, then he must make a few putts on Sunday coming down the stretch!
Here’s another guy that just hasn’t been able to close the deal on a Sunday this year. Collin Morikawa has had a solid year with four top 10s, but like Tommy, he hasn’t been able to get a win. I think that changes soon, and it could be this week. Collin has been gaining strokes off the tee and approach, but the putter continues to kill him, as he’s been losing strokes, according to Data Golf. We all know Collin can strike it better than anybody, as he loves to play that baby fade all day, but if we wants his first win of the year, he MUST make a few putts on the weekend!
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