Gotterup Grabs the Spotlight at Genesis Scottish Open

Welcome back to Duffer’s Digest, your go-to source for the latest and greatest in the world of golf!

This week, we’re diving into the thrilling action from the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, recapping the LPGA’s Amundi Evian Championship with details sourced from ESPN, and teeing up a detailed preview of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Grab your clubs and settle in for the highlights!

• Genesis Scottish Open: Gotterup Steals the Show at The Renaissance Club

• LPGA Major: Amundi Evian Championship Recap

• Preview: The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush

Tournament Recap 🏌️

Genesis Scottish Open: Gotterup Steals the Show at The Renaissance Club

The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, played host to a dramatic Genesis Scottish Open, and what a week it was! American Chris Gotterup emerged as the surprise champion, holding off a charging Rory McIlroy to claim his second PGA TOUR victory and set a new course record with a stellar performance. Gotterup’s final-round battle with McIlroy was a masterclass in composure, finishing two strokes ahead of the world No. 2 to secure his spot at the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

McIlroy, coming off his Masters triumph earlier this season, showed flashes of brilliance with a T2 finish, signaling that he’s in fine form heading into Royal Portrush. Other standout performances included Nicolai Højgaard and Matthias Schmid, who, along with Gotterup, earned last-minute Open Championship berths via their top finishes. Matt Fitzpatrick and Marco Penge also impressed, with Fitzpatrick tying for fourth at 12 under, showcasing his consistency with four rounds in the 60s.

The Renaissance Club, a modern links-style course, tested players with its coastal winds and strategic layout, providing the perfect warm-up for the Open. The event not only crowned a champion but also finalized the field for golf’s oldest major, setting the stage for an electrifying week in Northern Ireland.

Noteworthy Stories ✍🏻

LPGA Major: Amundi Evian Championship Recap

The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Évian-les-Bains, France, delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in major championship history, with Australia’s Grace Kim emerging as the champion. Kim, ranked No. 99 in the world, staged an astonishing comeback, overcoming a four-shot deficit in the final round to defeat world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul on the second playoff hole. Her remarkable eagle-birdie-eagle finish on the 18th hole in regulation and the two playoff holes secured her first major title and marked her as Australia’s fifth female major winner, joining Karrie Webb, Minjee Lee, Hannah Green, and Jan Stephenson.

Kim’s final-round 67 included three eagles, with the decisive moment coming on the par-5 18th in regulation. Trailing by two shots, she hit a 4-hybrid from 190 yards that rolled back to within two feet for a tap-in eagle, forcing a playoff with Thitikul, who missed a short birdie putt to win. In the first playoff hole, Kim’s approach landed in a hazard, but she miraculously chipped in for birdie to extend the playoff. On the second playoff hole, Kim’s 4-hybrid again set up an eagle, this time a 12-foot putt, which Thitikul couldn’t match. Kim, who had battled flu-like symptoms and a double bogey on the 12th hole earlier in the round, called the victory “surreal,” citing tough conversations with her team to overcome a loss of motivation earlier in the year.

Other Australians shone brightly, with Minjee Lee finishing one shot back at 13 under with a final-round 68, and Gabriela Ruffels, a third-round co-leader, faltering late but still in contention. Steph Kyriacou charged to a T14 finish with a blistering final-round 64. The event was not without setbacks, as Thitikul’s missed birdie on the 18th in regulation cost her a maiden major, and top amateur Lottie Woad, who led on the back nine, finished at 13 under, securing her LPGA card for 2025 and 2026.

Preview: The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush

The golfing world now turns its attention to Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, for the 153rd Open Championship, taking place from July 17–20, 2025. This marks only the third time the Dunluce Links has hosted golf’s oldest major, following unforgettable editions in 1951 and 2019, when Shane Lowry lifted the Claret Jug in front of a passionate home crowd. Here’s everything you need to know about the course, its challenges, unique features, and the players to watch.

The Course: Dunluce Links ⛳️

• Par and Yardage: Par 71, 7,381 yards

• Designer: Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris, redesigned by Harry Colt in 1929, with renovations by Martin Ebert in 2019.

• Key Features: The Dunluce Links is a quintessential links course, perched along the rugged Northern Irish coastline. It features severely undulated terrain, grassy moguls, tight fairways, 57 strategically placed bunkers, gnarly gorse bushes, and slow fescue green complexes. Unlike traditional links courses with out-and-back routings, Portrush’s layout changes direction frequently, creating varied wind patterns and reducing the likelihood of a “wave advantage” for players.

Unique Features 😮

• New Holes: Ahead of the 2019 Open, architects Martin Ebert and Tom Mackenzie replaced two holes from the Valley Links with a new par-5 seventh and par-4 eighth on Dunluce, adding strategic depth and visual drama. These holes have solidified Portrush’s reputation as one of the world’s elite links courses, ranked No. 7 in Golf Monthly’s UK and Ireland Top 100.

• Iconic Holes: The par-4 fifth, known as “White Rocks,” is a breathtaking 372-yard hole with a tee box by the beach and a green flanked by swales and a false front. The 18th, with its “historic” out-of-bounds area between the first and 18th fairways, adds a psychological challenge.

• Course Records: Rory McIlroy holds the pre-2015 record with a 61 as a 16-year-old amateur, while Shane Lowry set the modern mark with a stunning 63 during his 2019 victory.

Challenges 💪

Royal Portrush is a beast when the weather turns, with coastal wind gusts and potential rainfall amplifying its difficulty. The course’s tight fairways and deep bunkers demand precision off the tee, while the undulating greens test putting prowess. Numerous doglegs tempt players with risk-reward opportunities, but cutting corners often brings trouble in the form of gorse or bunkers. The “historic” out-of-bounds areas, particularly near the 18th, add a layer of mental pressure, as wayward shots can result in stroke-and-distance penalties.

Players must bring their A-game in ball-striking and course management, as Portrush rewards those who can shape shots and adapt to unpredictable conditions. As Gary McNeill, the club’s Head Pro, noted, the 2025 setup will feel “very different” from 2019, suggesting subtle tweaks to keep players on their toes.

Contenders to Watch 🧐

The 156-man field is stacked with talent, including a record 19 LIV Golf players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith. Here are the top names to keep an eye on:

• Scottie Scheffler (+450): The world No. 1 is the betting favorite after a T8 at the Scottish Open. His elite ball-striking and composure make him a perfect fit for Portrush’s demands.

• Rory McIlroy (+700): Fresh off a T2 at the Scottish Open and his Masters win this year, McIlroy is hungry for a second Claret Jug in his home country. His history at Portrush, including that 61 as a teen, makes him a sentimental and statistical favorite.

• Jon Rahm (+1200): Rahm’s links pedigree and strong Open record make him a serious threat. His ability to handle windy conditions could shine if Portrush gets “gnarly.”

• Xander Schauffele (+1400): The defending Open champion, Schauffele showed form at the Scottish Open and has the all-around game to contend again.

• Shane Lowry (+2000): The 2019 Portrush champion skipped the Scottish Open to prepare on links courses, including Portrush. His emotional connection to the venue and proven track record make him a dark horse.

• Justin Thomas (+3600 for top 10): A computer model highlights Thomas as a value pick for a top-10 finish, citing his even-par performance at Portrush in 2019.

• Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland: Both showed promise at the Scottish Open and have the ball-striking to navigate Portrush’s challenges. Fleetwood’s links experience and Hovland’s recent major form (T3 at the U.S. Open) make them ones to watch.

• Dark Horse – Robert MacIntyre: The Scotsman, who won last year’s Scottish Open, has fond memories of a T6 at Portrush in 2019. Despite a missed cut last week, his links savvy could spark a run.

Viewing Details 👀

The 153rd Open Championship kicks off Thursday, July 17, with tee times starting around 6:30 AM BST (1:30 AM EDT). Expect comprehensive coverage on Sky Sports Golf, with BBC Sport offering live radio on 5 Live, TV highlights on BBC Two, and digital coverage via the audi Sport website.

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All eyes are on Royal Portrush, where the Dunluce Links will challenge the game’s best in a battle for the Claret Jug.

Will McIlroy complete his redemption arc in Northern Ireland?

Can Scheffler cap his dominant season with another major?

Or will a longshot like Lowry or MacIntyre steal the show?

Let us know your predictions in the comments, and stay tuned to Duffer’s Digest for updates from Portrush!

Until next week, swing easy.

— The Duffer’s Crew