A new routing has been confirmed for the 2026 edition of the Genesis Scottish Open course, a notable development for the tournament held at the Renaissance Club in East Lothian. This announcement comes as the current world-class field at the Scottish Open generates extra intrigue, particularly with the participation of Jon Rahm.
Rahm is playing his first PGA Tour event outside of majors since his controversial switch to LIV Golf in December 2023. His presence adds a notable twist to an already stellar line-up, which includes Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. Fellow LIV player and Ryder Cup team-mate Tyrrell Hatton is also teeing it up at the Renaissance Club, where the overall purse stands at a tidy £6.7m, with the winner set to pocket £1.2m.
Rahm’s Return and LIV Context
Jon Rahm’s return to PGA Tour action marks a key moment, following his move to LIV Golf late last year. The two-time major winner’s eligibility for the co-sanctioned Scottish Open arises from his decision to end a “stand-off” with the DP World Tour in May. This resolution allows Rahm to compete in an event that is co-sanctioned by both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.
Rahm last played the Scottish Open four years ago, and he maintains that being back in PGA Tour action feels no different, describing it as “just another event.” Despite this, he is targeting a first win on Scottish soil, calling it “one of my favourite weeks.” Rahm also offered high praise for the event’s calibre, stating that “as far as strength of field goes, it does feel like you have two majors in a row without being a major, it’s that good.” He added that this “speaks to how good this event is for all these players to come in here.”
The field includes Hatton and five other LIV players, all of whom have been granted conditional releases by the DP World Tour. This marks the first time that active LIV members have played a PGA Tour event. The future of the breakaway LIV tour itself remains uncertain beyond the end of the season, as Saudi Arabia is set to pull its funding.
Speaking at the Renaissance Club on Tuesday, Rahm addressed questions about LIV’s future, indicating he has not ruled out financial support. He stated: “They haven’t asked me to put my money in yet.” Rahm further noted: “Something I’ve learned in life, never say never. I’m not going to say absolutely no to anything that can happen in the future.”
Course Evolution and Defending Champion’s Bid
The Renaissance Club in East Lothian is the venue for the tournament, which runs from 9-12 July. The course, where America’s Chris Gotterup pipped Rory McIlroy to glory last year, will see a “new routing for the 2026 edition.” This change is a key update for future stagings of the prestigious event.
Chris Gotterup, the defending champion, won by two shots last year and is now bidding to become the first back-to-back Scottish Open champion. His effort to secure consecutive titles adds another compelling narrative to the current tournament in East Lothian. The course’s evolution for 2026 indicates ongoing development for the Scottish Open.
Spectators can follow live text coverage of all four rounds via the BBC Sport website and app. Highlights from Saturday and Sunday will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer at 21:00 BST, providing comprehensive coverage of the event.
Elite Field Ahead of The Open
The Scottish Open holds a notable position on the golfing calendar. It is widely recognised as a massive event in its own right, a point Rahm himself intimated. Its strategic slot immediately preceding The Open does no harm in enticing the game’s best players to participate.
The opportunity for players to sharpen their game on a links layout is a clear advantage, especially with the final major of the season looming tantalisingly at Royal Birkdale next week. This makes the Scottish Open a crucial preparatory tournament for many of the sport’s elite competitors.
Beyond Rahm, the field boasts world number one Scottie Scheffler and world number two Rory McIlroy as headline acts. England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, a fellow top-10 star, is also competing, eyeing his fourth title of what has been a fruitful season for him.
The presence of such high-calibre players highlights the event’s standing. It attracts golfers at the pinnacle of the sport, eager to test their skills on a links course just before The Open. The tournament’s co-sanctioned status further bolsters its appeal to a diverse international field.
With its blend of top talent, intriguing narratives surrounding professional golf tours, and confirmed course developments for 2026, the Genesis Scottish Open continues to be a highlight in the global golfing calendar.