European Tour Tips & Preview
Scottish Open 2020 Preview
Starts - 1st October 2020
Course - The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, Scotland
Par - 71 (36-35)
Length – 7343 yards
Defending Champion - Bernd Wiesberger
Course - The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, Scotland
Par - 71 (36-35)
Length – 7343 yards
Defending Champion - Bernd Wiesberger
Course Info
Type of Course - Modern Links, deep bunkers, wide fairways, thick rough.
Course Conditions - Soft and wet
Greens - Fescue
Par 5's - 3rd, 7th, 10th and 16th.
Last played - Hosted Scottish Open last year.
Premium on - Approach play.
Significant Info To Be Aware Of
A Rolex series event, this is the strongest European Tour field since lockdown.
Some of the holes have been switched so last years hole averages are not accurate. See our In-play guide for more details.
Continue to exercise caution in relation to Covid-19 related withdrawals. We saw Sebastian Soderberg withdraw last week as he had been in contact with someone outside the European Tour "bubble".
The Scottish Open has moved from its slot in July the week before the Open Championship. The course should play longer and tougher in colder conditions. See weather forecast below for full details.
Weather Forecast
Temperatures will be as low as 8 degrees in the mornings rising to 12 degrees in the afternoons. Thursday should see some light winds with consistently 10mph-20mph from Friday onwards.
Thurs - Sunny intervals and gentle breeze. Wind 5-6mph.
Fri - Light rain and moderate breeze. Wind 7-12mph.
Sat - Light rain showers and moderate breeze. Wind 12-16mph.
Sun - Light rain and moderate breeze. Wind 12-14mph.
Stats Analysis
SG: Approach - Wiesberger (1st) and Hebert (2nd) both ranked in the top 3 for SG: Approach last year, making it the most important category.
SG: Putting - Romain Langasque was the only player inside the top 8 in the top 10 SG: Putting.
SG: Off the tee - Romain Langasque was the only player inside the top 8 in the top 10 SG: Off the tee.
SG: Around the greens - NONE of the top 8 ranked inside the top 10 for SG: Around the greens.
Trends
We don't have any trends as the course was used first time in 2019, but we have a couple of pointers from last year.
Winning score - Last year was -22 but can be expected to be lower this year due to weather conditions.
Incoming form - Wiesberger arrived in great form as was 2nd at the Irish Open the week before, which might bode well for Aaron Rai! However, Hebert and Langasque were completely out of form so it's preferred but not essential.
Nationality - Andrew Johnston was the only British player in the top 8 last year and the last Brit to win the Scottish Open was Justin Rose in 2014.
In-play
Tough Holes - Par 4 8th was one of hardest holes in 2019. The 9th was 2nd hardest. The 475 yard Par 4 11th tricky. The Par 4 18th plays into the wind, and was toughest hole on course last year.
Birdie Holes - The 3rd is a reachable Par 5 for most. 5th is a driveable par 4 given the right conditions. 7th is a par 5 which was 2nd easiest hole in 2019. 10th reachable Par 5. 16th is reachable Par 5, easiest on course last year.
Fast or Slow Start - Nino Bertasio was the only player inside the top 11 after Round 1 who placed. Wiesberger and Hebert were both 4 shots back in 29th place after 18 holes. Hebert came from 7 back after 54 to make the playoff. It is possible to play catch up at The Renaissance Club.
*As ever, follow our daily in-play updates and tips on our Scottish Open in-play page*
Type of Course - Modern Links, deep bunkers, wide fairways, thick rough.
Course Conditions - Soft and wet
Greens - Fescue
Par 5's - 3rd, 7th, 10th and 16th.
Last played - Hosted Scottish Open last year.
Premium on - Approach play.
Significant Info To Be Aware Of
A Rolex series event, this is the strongest European Tour field since lockdown.
Some of the holes have been switched so last years hole averages are not accurate. See our In-play guide for more details.
Continue to exercise caution in relation to Covid-19 related withdrawals. We saw Sebastian Soderberg withdraw last week as he had been in contact with someone outside the European Tour "bubble".
The Scottish Open has moved from its slot in July the week before the Open Championship. The course should play longer and tougher in colder conditions. See weather forecast below for full details.
Weather Forecast
Temperatures will be as low as 8 degrees in the mornings rising to 12 degrees in the afternoons. Thursday should see some light winds with consistently 10mph-20mph from Friday onwards.
Thurs - Sunny intervals and gentle breeze. Wind 5-6mph.
Fri - Light rain and moderate breeze. Wind 7-12mph.
Sat - Light rain showers and moderate breeze. Wind 12-16mph.
Sun - Light rain and moderate breeze. Wind 12-14mph.
Stats Analysis
SG: Approach - Wiesberger (1st) and Hebert (2nd) both ranked in the top 3 for SG: Approach last year, making it the most important category.
SG: Putting - Romain Langasque was the only player inside the top 8 in the top 10 SG: Putting.
SG: Off the tee - Romain Langasque was the only player inside the top 8 in the top 10 SG: Off the tee.
SG: Around the greens - NONE of the top 8 ranked inside the top 10 for SG: Around the greens.
Trends
We don't have any trends as the course was used first time in 2019, but we have a couple of pointers from last year.
Winning score - Last year was -22 but can be expected to be lower this year due to weather conditions.
Incoming form - Wiesberger arrived in great form as was 2nd at the Irish Open the week before, which might bode well for Aaron Rai! However, Hebert and Langasque were completely out of form so it's preferred but not essential.
Nationality - Andrew Johnston was the only British player in the top 8 last year and the last Brit to win the Scottish Open was Justin Rose in 2014.
In-play
Tough Holes - Par 4 8th was one of hardest holes in 2019. The 9th was 2nd hardest. The 475 yard Par 4 11th tricky. The Par 4 18th plays into the wind, and was toughest hole on course last year.
Birdie Holes - The 3rd is a reachable Par 5 for most. 5th is a driveable par 4 given the right conditions. 7th is a par 5 which was 2nd easiest hole in 2019. 10th reachable Par 5. 16th is reachable Par 5, easiest on course last year.
Fast or Slow Start - Nino Bertasio was the only player inside the top 11 after Round 1 who placed. Wiesberger and Hebert were both 4 shots back in 29th place after 18 holes. Hebert came from 7 back after 54 to make the playoff. It is possible to play catch up at The Renaissance Club.
*As ever, follow our daily in-play updates and tips on our Scottish Open in-play page*
Scottish Open - Six To Watch
As outlined in our Tipping Record, our strategy is to focus on speciality bets and value in-play. However, we have identified the following six players if you do wish to place a bet before the event begins:
Romain Langasque 45/1 - 888Sport
Romain did us a favour at the Wales Open earlier this summer in similar weather conditions to those forecast for this week and we expect him to go well again. Finished 3rd here last year after three missed cuts on the bounce, including a top 5 for SG: Putting which shows his liking for the greens. He is clearly striking the ball well enough at the moment as you don't finish 34th at a US Open or 17th at Valderrama if you're off your game. A proven bad weather player, he can emulate Sam Horsfield and John Catlin with his second post-lockdown win.
Joachim Lagergren - 55/1 @Bet365
We left the Swede out of the staking plan last week as his price had come in, but 55/1 is enough to tempt us this week, despite a stronger field. He arrives on the back of a 5th in Ireland and a 3rd in Portugal so will be extremely confident. We noted in the preview SG: Approach is the key stat this week and Joachim ranks 6th on the European Tour. He also has an unbelievable Dunhill Links record in Scotland with 3rd, 4th, 4th and 12th place finishes in the last 5 years. Missed cut here last year is the only negative but arrives in better control of his game and the positives outweigh the negative significantly.
Joost Luiten - 66/1 @Bet365
The Dutchman returned to form last week with an 11th place finish and there is enough juice in his price this week to keep an eye on him. if iron play is the name of the game, there are not too many better when he is firing on all cylinders. He ranks 7th for Par 3 scoring this season which is also a bonus considering there are five Par 3's.
Renato Paratore - 80/1 @ William Hill
We were surprised to see Renato priced up as high as 90/1 at the start of the week, given his performance at Winged Foot where he was 31st. That was a terrific display in elite company and he should return to a weaker field full of confidence. Finished 28th here last year after two missed cuts and has a 7th place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links. Ranks 9th this year for SG: Approach which is a bonus.
Guido Migliozzi 100/1 - 888Sport
Another Italian gets the nod here. Guido was also 28th here last year after three missed cuts on the spin. It isn't the first time he has shown a liking for coastal golf courses after his 4th place in Oman earlier this year and he also showed he's capable in the wind, finishing 6th in his 2nd last start at Valderrama. A 36th place at the Portugal Masters followed and he should be suitably rested for the challenge.
Maverick Antcliff - 200/1 @Bet365
The young Australian has been on our radar for some time now and we were slightly disappointed not to have him onside last week for his 3rd place finish. The signs were there with his 9th place at the Open De Portugal and he seems to be getting more comfortable at this level. Ranked 6th for SG: Approach last week and 19th for the season so this course could play to his strengths. Three wins last year in China and a good experience in the mix last week should serve him well.
Romain Langasque 45/1 - 888Sport
Romain did us a favour at the Wales Open earlier this summer in similar weather conditions to those forecast for this week and we expect him to go well again. Finished 3rd here last year after three missed cuts on the bounce, including a top 5 for SG: Putting which shows his liking for the greens. He is clearly striking the ball well enough at the moment as you don't finish 34th at a US Open or 17th at Valderrama if you're off your game. A proven bad weather player, he can emulate Sam Horsfield and John Catlin with his second post-lockdown win.
Joachim Lagergren - 55/1 @Bet365
We left the Swede out of the staking plan last week as his price had come in, but 55/1 is enough to tempt us this week, despite a stronger field. He arrives on the back of a 5th in Ireland and a 3rd in Portugal so will be extremely confident. We noted in the preview SG: Approach is the key stat this week and Joachim ranks 6th on the European Tour. He also has an unbelievable Dunhill Links record in Scotland with 3rd, 4th, 4th and 12th place finishes in the last 5 years. Missed cut here last year is the only negative but arrives in better control of his game and the positives outweigh the negative significantly.
Joost Luiten - 66/1 @Bet365
The Dutchman returned to form last week with an 11th place finish and there is enough juice in his price this week to keep an eye on him. if iron play is the name of the game, there are not too many better when he is firing on all cylinders. He ranks 7th for Par 3 scoring this season which is also a bonus considering there are five Par 3's.
Renato Paratore - 80/1 @ William Hill
We were surprised to see Renato priced up as high as 90/1 at the start of the week, given his performance at Winged Foot where he was 31st. That was a terrific display in elite company and he should return to a weaker field full of confidence. Finished 28th here last year after two missed cuts and has a 7th place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links. Ranks 9th this year for SG: Approach which is a bonus.
Guido Migliozzi 100/1 - 888Sport
Another Italian gets the nod here. Guido was also 28th here last year after three missed cuts on the spin. It isn't the first time he has shown a liking for coastal golf courses after his 4th place in Oman earlier this year and he also showed he's capable in the wind, finishing 6th in his 2nd last start at Valderrama. A 36th place at the Portugal Masters followed and he should be suitably rested for the challenge.
Maverick Antcliff - 200/1 @Bet365
The young Australian has been on our radar for some time now and we were slightly disappointed not to have him onside last week for his 3rd place finish. The signs were there with his 9th place at the Open De Portugal and he seems to be getting more comfortable at this level. Ranked 6th for SG: Approach last week and 19th for the season so this course could play to his strengths. Three wins last year in China and a good experience in the mix last week should serve him well.
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