Rory McIlroy, currently ranked world No. 2, is set to be the main attraction at this week's Scottish Open, held at The Renaissance Club. McIlroy has a strong recent record in the event, with a win in 2023 and top-five finishes in 2024 and 2025. His season began with a victory at the Masters, positioning him as a strong contender.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is also in the field, aiming for his first Scottish Open title. Scheffler demonstrated his prowess on links courses with a victory at The Open Championship last summer, a highlight of his dominant two-year run. He is expected to use the event as preparation for his Claret Jug defense at Royal Birkdale next week.
Chris Gotterup returns to defend his Scottish Open title. Ranked world No. 7, Gotterup's power off the tee was a key factor in his 2025 victory, where he equaled the course record with a 61 in the second round. He comes into the tournament in good form, having won the John Deere Classic last weekend.
Matt Fitzpatrick, ranked No. 4, is a consistent performer at the Scottish Open, with two top-10 finishes in the last four years. His current season includes three PGA Tour wins. Fitzpatrick's affinity for links golf and his accuracy, leading the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green, make him a significant threat.
Home favorite Bob MacIntyre, a winner of this event in 2024, enters the tournament ranked world No. 20. Despite a dip in his ranking from the top 10 earlier in the year, MacIntyre is seeking to recapture his best form. His personal life, with the recent birth of his first child, has presented an adaptation period, but a return to winning form at his home event is considered a possibility.
Jon Rahm, ranked world No. 11, makes his return to the Scottish Open for the first time since 2022. While speculation continues regarding his future in LIV Golf, Rahm's proven ability and strong record on links courses suggest he remains a contender.
Other notable players in the field include Ludvig Aberg, Ewen Ferguson, Tommy Fleetwood, Wyndham Clark, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, Aaron Rai, Shane Lowry, Adam Scott, Patrick Reed, and Brooks Koepka. The tournament is scheduled to take place at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian.