Genesis Scottish Open 2026: Dave Tindall's each-way picks from 30/1 to 125/1

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Introduction to the Genesis Scottish Open

What a time to be a sports fan. As the World Cup gets to the business end and Wimbledon plays out, we have two weeks of world-class golf on UK shores to tuck into.

Before the Open at Royal Birkdale, the focus is north of the border for the co-sanctioned Genesis Scottish Open.

And as this is part of the DP World Tour schedule too, it means we don't have to wait until The Open to see some top-class LIV players on show too.

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton are the headlines while the LIV contingent of seven also includes David Puig, Laurie Canter, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, and Victor Perez.

The battle for prestige and the $9m purse takes place at the Renaissance Club which is situated next to 16-time Open venue Muirfield where legends Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson all lifted the Claret Jug.

The Tom Doak design is a par 70 measuring 7,282 yards and only opened in 2008. It'll be staging the event for an eighth straight year so we have a good bank of course form to look at.

Apart from tough conditions in 2022 when Xander Schauffele won with 7-under, winning scores have been either 15-under (twice) or 18-under (twice) in four of the last five renewals.

It's also been tight, with three play-offs and three wins by a single shot. Chris Gotterup, the winner of last week's John Deere Classic, won by two last year.

Stats-wise, the Strokes Gained categories don't particularly tell a clear picture but the last three winners (Gotterup, Bob MacIntyre and Rory McIlroy) have all driven it well, ranking 4th, 7th and 3rd respectively Off The Tee.

Gotterup's short game was sharp too (4th Putting, 10th Around The Green) while, prior to him, the winners from 2022-2024 were all in the top eight for Approach.

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Robert MacIntyre each-way @ 30/131.00

The Renaissance Club was the scene of one of Robert MacIntyre's finest hours on a golf course when he won his home Scottish Open in 2024.

In fairytale fashion, he did it by holing a 22-footer for birdie on the last. "It's the one I wanted and the one I got," he said later after edging out Adam Scott.

Twelve months earlier he'd been pipped for the title by Rory McIlroy and could consider himself mighty unfortunate. One behind with two tough holes to play given the conditions, McIlroy birdied both.

Almost winning this twice tells us that his 2024 triumph wasn't an isolated case of a big performance at home.

For further evidence, we only have to go back to October to see MacIntyre capturing the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the annual event played at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.

MacIntyre became the first home Scot to win it in 20 years and, for even more impressive context, it came a week after he'd helped Europe to victory in the Ryder Cup bearpit at Bethpage.

There was no final-hole drama that time as he romped to victory by four shots.

So, that's two wins in his last five starts on Scottish soil. In other words, he should absolutely be one of the favourites this week.

As for current form, he's had a slightly patchy year but really found something in the early Spring when following fourth at The Players Championship by finishing runner-up at the Texas Open.

And, as this huge fortnight approaches, MacIntyre is shaping up nicely after three starts in June produced 15th in the Canadian Open, 39th in the US Open and 10th at the Travelers Championship last time.

The putter has warmed up and his iron play has been crisper too (10th SG: Approach Travelers, 20th SGA Canadian Open).

Back on those home Scottish links where he loves to play golf, MacIntyre is well worth an each-way investment at 30/131.00 (10 Places).

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Bet 2: Nicola Hojgaard each-way @ 40/141.00

Nicolai Hojgaard has very positive memories of The Renaissance Club.

Last year, he closed with a 64 to finish fourth and that was enough to secure one of the three spots available for those not already qualified for the Open Championship.

"I knew what was on the line," he said later. "I did the same thing in '23, actually. So I've done it before, and I kind of knew my game was in a good place.

"Went out there and I thought it was gettable, and at the same time there were still some tricky holes. I really grinded it out and I'm really happy with the score."

Looking ahead to Portrush where he would go on to finish 14th, Hojgaard said: "I love playing links golf."

As Hojgaard noted, 2023 was also a good year for him in this event. Boosted by a Friday 63 the Dane finished in sixth place.

He's ranked in the top six for Off The Tee in the last two years at this course (he finished 39th in 2024) and was 1st for Approach in 2023. Twelve months ago he produced his best Renaissance Club putting performance (12th SGP).

While struggling for consistency, Hojgaard is definitely a golfer who can hit lofty peaks.

Looking at the positives, he's finished as a runner-up on the PGA Tour in both March (Houston Open) and May (Truist Championship). If you like a pattern, July would continue that two-month cycle!

And after a sticky spell through June he closed with a 62 to make the top 15 at the Travelers Championship last time.

With Hojgaard's results rather boom or bust, I'll take the bigger odds and play him at 40/141.00 in the 5 Places market.

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Bet 3: Jesper Svensson each-way @ 125/1126.00

If looking for an outsider in the 10 Places market, Jesper Svensson takes the eye.

Ten seems to be the magic number here actually.

The Swede is one of the 10 longest drivers of the ball on the PGA Tour and and he comes in on the back of a pair of top 10s.

The first of those was ninth at the CJ CUP Byron Nelson and he followed that with fourth in the RBC Canadian Open.

Three top 10s in 11 starts this season (also eighth by the coast at the Puerto Rico Open) is a very healthy return.

This is his third start at the Renaissance Club and, on first glance, finishes of 34th and 43rd look somewhat modest.

But drill down and he shot a second-round 64 last year and closed with a 65 in 2024 so Svensson can score here.

Beyond just smashing it miles, there's some control too. In his last two starts he's ranked 8th and 9th for Off The Tee and that will stand him in good stead if he can keep it going with the driver.

Putts are dropping too so there's enough in his profile to suggest he can find a way into the top 10 while some of the bigger guns perhaps back off and keep their powder dry with Royal Birkdale in mind.

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