Scottie Scheffler joins Rory McIlroy at star-studded Scottish event

Scottie Scheffler has confirmed his return to the Genesis Scottish Open, joining a star-studded field that already includes Rory McIlroy. 

The world No.1 skipped last year’s star-studded tournament at the Renaissance Club, but will be back in East Lothian as excitement builds for the $9million Rolex Series event.

This will serve as Scheffler’s final preparations for the Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

He chose not to play in last year’s showpiece – won by home favourite Robert MacIntyre – in a bid to stay fresh in a busy summer schedule that saw him go on to win Olympic gold in Paris.

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But the inclusion of the three-time major champion in an already impressive field provides a huge boost to the co-sanctioned DP World Tour and PGA Tour event.

After finishing in a tie for 12th on debut in 2021, Scheffler missed the cut the following year and was third behind only MacIntyre and 2023 champion McIlroy.

Scheffler and McIlroy are not the only superstars arriving on Scotland’s golf coast, either.

The return of Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas means the top five in the Official World Golf Rankings will all be competing the week before the final major of the season.

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MacIntyre’s European Ryder Cup teammates Sepp Straka and Ludvig Aberg have also been included in the field.

The announcement of Scheffler is significant in what is shaping up to be another strong summer for Scottish golf.

It was confirmed earlier this week that women’s world No.1 Nelly Korda would be playing for the first time in the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.

That tournament in Ayrshire takes place the week before the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl in south Wales.

Ben Parsons is the Senior Writer at bunkered and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.