Genesis Scottish Open : What a week..

 The second Rolex Series event of the season kicks off the Closing Swing as the DP World Tour heads to the Renaissance Club for the Genesis Scottish Open.

Marvelous MacIntyre

Robert MacIntyre alongside father Dougie, who caddied during his victory at the RBC Canadian Open. Image: Shutterstock.

There were magical scenes 12 months ago in North Berwick as Robert MacIntyre won his home open, a year on from having his heart broken by Rory McIlroy. 

In 2023, MacIntyre played a stunning shot into the last to card a 64 and lead by one before McIlroy birdied the 17th and 18th - the latter with a stunning approach of his own - to snatch the trophy.

But the man known as Bob would not be denied again, coming from three shots back on the back nine to birdie the last and get to -18, becoming the first Scottish winner of the Genesis Scottish Open in the Rolex Series era. 

"I've put a lot of work into this," he said. "I've changed a lot within the team and I've just worked hard. I wanted the Scottish Open. The crowd has been unbelievable. The crowd support, the support of the Scottish people from 2017, 2018, 2019, the support has been unbelievable. Close last year but I had my chance here at the end and I just kept saying to myself, 'just take a chance, take a chance'. I took it. I can't believe it."

Rolex Series returns

After a six-month break since the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the Rolex Series is back on the DP World Tour this week. The Genesis Scottish Open is the second of five Rolex Series events in 2025, with the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship - which make up the DP World Tour Play-Offs - to come

Scotland's national open is one of just three events to feature in every season of the Rolex Series since its inception in 2017, with Rafa Cabrera Bello, Brandon Stone, Bernd Wiesberger, Aaron Rai, Min Woo Lee, Xander Schauffele, McIlroy and MacIntyre all adding their name to the trophy.

Closing Swing begins

The Closing Swing - the fifth and final Global Swing of the 2025 Race to Dubai - gets under way this week with plenty on the line. The winner of the Swing will gain entry into every event in Phase Two of the season - the Back 9 - as well as a US$200,000 bonus, with a place in the field at the BMW PGA Championship also available to the highest-ranked player in the Swing Rankings not already exempt.

PGA TOUR stars on show

This is the fourth edition of the Genesis Scottish Open to be co-sanctioned with the PGA TOUR and a host of that circuit's biggest names are making their way to East Lothian. 

World Number One Scottie Scheffler leads the overseas charge and he will be joined by 2022 champion Xander Schauffele and fellow two-time Major Champion Collin Morikawa. Recent U.S. Open winner JJ Spaun is also in the field, meaning all four reigning Major champions will tee it up this week. 

The event's place on the calendar the week before The Open Championship has long brought PGA TOUR stars to Scotland, with then-reigning Open champion Tom Lehman lifting the trophy in 1997 and Phil Mickelson winning in 2013 before going on to lift the Claret Jug seven days later.

A route to Portrush

edit*** It is also a glittering week for tennis fans, with the historic Wimbledon championships reaching their climax in London with full TV coverage capturing every moment, before attention swings to the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, with native son Rory McIlroy carrying the hopes of his nation.

This week is the final event of the The Open Qualifying Series and the final chance for players to earn their place in the field at the final major Championship of the season at Royal Portrush. The leading three players not already exempt will tee it up in Northern Ireland next week.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)