Scottish Open 2019: This week's essential European Tour stats

The European Tour welcomes a new venue to its top table at this week's Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

Laid out on prime links turf east of Edinburgh, The Renaissance Club in North Berwick overlooks the south bank of the Firth of Forth, just a handful of miles from iconic golfing gems such as Muirfield, Gullane and Archerfield.

In existence since April 2008, The Renaissance Club has been the subject of many rave reviews during its short life and this week opens its doors to some of golf's biggest names.

Four of the world's top 15 are in town, all hoping to sharpen their touch ahead of the forthcoming Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Big Mac tops the bill

After skipping last week's Irish Open, world No 3 Rory McIlroy is the headline act in East Lothian.

McIlroy will start next week's Open on home turf as the tournament favourite (check latest odds for Royal Portrush) and will want to put on another good show in Scotland.

The 30-year-old is a two-time winner this season and, in 13 starts during 2019, has only twice failed to finish inside the top-10.

The next highest-ranked pro taking part is Justin Thomas who is yet to get to grips with British seaside golf - although there is still plenty of time for that.

The 26-year-old American has failed to post a T-10 since February and a more likely winner would be his more experienced compatriot Matt Kuchar.

Kuchar, 41, was runner-up in The Open at Royal Birkdale two years ago and was also second in the Scottish Open of 2015 when Rickie Fowler was crowned champion at nearby Gullane.

Fowler is back again and, despite a few mediocre results of late, has the links expertise to make another challenge for the title this week.

Ready Eddie

Another links tournament, therefore another big opportunity for England's Eddie Pepperell to shine.

He tied-fourth at Lahinch in County Clare on Sunday, alongside steady Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello, the Scottish Open winner from Dundonald two years ago.

It was Cabrera-Bello's second straight top-four, following a podium finish in Germany.

Check out latest betting for Scottish Open

Some other names to ponder this week, especially as each-way alternatives, are: Hao Tong Li, Martin Kaymer, Bernd Wiesberger, Edoardo Molinari and a fast-improving Andy Sullivan.

Li's links history is mixed but is improving all the time, while Kaymer has played pretty well since the start of May - his best run of consistent form for over two years.

Wiesberger, who was a joint runner-up in Ireland on Sunday, has returned to the world's top 100 having been ranked 378 less than two months ago.

Edoardo Molinari, twice a champ in Scotland although not on a links, has put together six solid tournaments since early May, while Sullivan looks as though he is ready to win again soon, although probably not this week.

Twitter: Andy Swales@GolfStatsAlive

MC* - Missed Additional 54-Hole Cut

Note: List contains leading reserves

Key for Links Form Table:
Last 10 Links Results in Scotland (Open 2015 thru Dunhill Links 2018)
Dunhill Links Championship: 1, 4, 6, 9
The Open Championship: 2, 7, 10
Scottish Open: 3, 5, 8
Note: strokeplay results only