Most of us are focused on next week’s final major, the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews. We’re not wrong to be giddy in anticipation, especially if it’s close to what we’ve seen at The Old Course in years past and how the Major season has gone so far. But, there’s an event on the docket this week with historical implications. This week is the first time the Genesis Scottish Open is co-sanctioned by the PGA TOUR and the DP World Tour.
With 14 of the top-15 ranked golfers in the world playing this week, It’s hard not to place Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas in the top spots. Thomas gets top honors in the rankings with how well he does before a major. Outside of his top-20, his last seven pre-major events are no worse than ninth. Thomas taking top honors isn’t to say Rahm isn’t a close second, because he is with how he sets up this week. Since 2019, no golfer has been better than him on a ‘links-style’ course, gaining 2.19 per round.
Patrick Cantlay and Viktor Hovland are getting downgrades this week. Both are moving down in the rankings relative to their odds. Cantlay seems disengaged, and Hovland’s short game is a blemish on what is otherwise a perfect game suited for links golf.
Aaron Rai is one of my favorite plays this week and is in the top 10. His last four starts here read T9-MC-1-T35, and he ranks 10th in tee to green over his previous eight rounds on the PGA TOUR. His familiarity with The Renaissance Club could get him off to a fast start, and it could be off to the races with Rai.
Also, Jordan Smith, Haotong Li, Robert MacIntyre and Rickie Fowler are making it in the top 25 with their experience and success in Europe. Jordan Smith and Haotong Li have been constant mentions this week, and Fowler has an affinity with this tournament, winning in 2015 (different course).
PGA TOUR Power Rankings
| RANK | GOLFER | PRE-TOURNAMENT ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| RANK | GOLFER | PRE-TOURNAMENT ODDS |
| 1 | Justin Thomas | +1400 |
| 2 | Jon Rahm | +1200 |
| 3 | Scottie Scheffler | +1200 |
| 4 | Cameron Smith | +2500 |
| 5 | Matt Fitzpatrick | +1800 |
| 6 | Collin Morikawa | +2800 |
| 7 | Xander Schauffele | +1800 |
| 8 | Hideki Matsuyama | +3000 |
| 9 | Jordan Spieth | +3000 |
| 10 | Aaron Rai | +6000 |
| 11 | Joaquin Niemann | +4000 |
| 12 | Tommy Fleetwood | +4500 |
| 13 | Patrick Cantlay | +2200 |
| 14 | Sam Burns | +2800 |
| 15 | Ryan Fox | +4500 |
| 16 | Viktor Hovland | +3000 |
| 17 | Justin Rose | +7000 |
| 18 | Robert MacIntyre | +7000 |
| 19 | Sungjae Im | +4500 |
| 20 | Tyrrell Hatton | +4500 |
| 21 | Min Woo Lee | +8000 |
| 22 | Lucas Herbert | +5000 |
| 23 | Jordan Smith | +10000 |
| 24 | Haotong Li | +10000 |
| 25 | Rickie Fowler | +13000 |
Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
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