The previous week offered a fascinating glimpse into the world of golf.
Event Context
The Genesis Scottish Open and the Amundi Evian Masters—the premier tournaments on the men’s and women’s circuits—were clinched by emerging South Korean talents, Tom Kim and Haeran Ryu. Remarkably, this week also witnessed both current world No. 1 players on the men’s and women’s tours fail to make the cut.
After an impressive streak of 78 consecutive weekends, which spanned nearly four years, Scottie Scheffler opted to take a weekend off. This was his first missed cut since August 2022 (FedEx St Jude Championship), ending a remarkable record of 1,428 days and marking the fifth-longest streak in golfing history. Notably, he had not finished outside the top 25 since the 2024 BMW Championship, a remarkable run across 37 tournaments.
Similarly, Nelly Korda’s missed cut was unexpected. While her statistics may not rival Scheffler’s, she remains a leading figure in women’s golf, having won the first two major championships of the season.
The day after Korda fell short in her attempt to stay below the cut line, Ryu showcased her rising star power at the Evian Resort Golf Club, shooting an incredible 60. This is now the record for the lowest round in major championships across both men’s and women’s golf. For perspective, the lowest score in men’s majors is a 62, which was first achieved by Branden Grace at the 2017 Open Championship held at Royal Birkdale, the same course hosting this year’s event.
Given the current conditions, achieving a 62 at Royal Birkdale this week will be an extraordinary challenge. The course has dried out significantly due to the soaring temperatures in the UK, presenting a baked and hard surface.
As we approach the season’s final men’s major, several storylines are worth following:
Scottie Scheffler—The world No. 1 and defending champion must be feeling the pressure after last week’s missed cut at the Genesis Scottish Open.
Tommy Fleetwood—The Southport native recently secured his first PGA Tour title after a long drought. It would be a storybook ending if he could capture his first major title in front of his supportive home crowd.
Jordan Spieth—No narrative about Royal Birkdale is complete without mentioning Spieth’s astounding win in 2017, which included a remarkable 22-minute and 20-second journey through the 13th hole. Although he’s not at peak form, he is showing signs of improvement.
Lastly, keep an eye on Tyrrell Hatton, who has shifted from world No. 11 to No. 50. He’s been a consistent choice for me over the past few years, and just like Justin Rose, he seems to find his best game during major tournaments. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if he finally claims his inaugural major title this week.
Player Focus
Among players ranked from No.1 to No.10, I’m placing my bets on the statistically least favorable contender—Justin Rose, currently ranked No.10. However, his ranking doesn’t diminish his ability to perform well in major tournaments. Rose consistently showcases his determination and tends to elevate his game during crucial rounds on Sundays.
Now shifting to those ranked from No.51 to No.100, I’m selecting two players: Ryan Fox at No.56 and Michael Thorbjornsen at No.70. Despite a challenging season and even a recent hospitalization due to kidney stone surgery, Fox is an exceptional links golfer. Thorbjornsen, on the other hand, posted a tied seventh finish in Scotland, and I strongly believe in the power of momentum in golf.
Match Outlook
Rory McIlroy showed strong performance in three out of four rounds at the Scottish Open. His high ball flight gives him a significant edge on the fairways and greens, which are anticipated to be firmer than the typical conditions players encounter. Although he described himself as ‘so bad’ after making an errant shot at Renaissance, it’s important not to take his words at face value.
