Event Info
Starts: 8th July 2021
Course: Renaissance Club, Scotland
Par: 71
Length: 7,293 yards
2020 Champion: Aaron Rai
Results
Overall Profit/Loss: -8pts
Pre-Event Bets: -8pts
2pts Win Only Justin Thomas 18/1 @ William Hill
1pt EW Andrew Johnston 66/1 @ William Hill (1/5 1-8)
1pt EW Lee Westwood 66/1 @ William Hill (1/5 1-8)
0.5pts EW Adrian Otaegui 140/1 @ Bet365 (1/4 1-5)
0.5pts EW Ryan Fox 150/1 @ Betway (1/5 1-7)
In-Play Bets: None
Preview
Course Info
Designer: Tom Doak
Type of Course: Modern links
Used Since: 2019.
Fairways: Wide
Rough: Thick in places
Greens: Fescue
Par 5's: 3rd, 7th, 10th and 16th.
Premium on: Approach play/Links ability
Significant Info To Be Aware Of
The weather last year was bad and many players struggled. With conditions set to be fair this week, don't be put off if anyone struggled in the wind and rain last year.
Many players will be using this week as a warm up for next week's Open Championship.
Continue to exercise caution in relation to Covid-19 related withdrawals.
Weather Forecast
Looks set to be dry most of the week with minimal wind and moderate temperatures.
Thursday
Light cloud and a gentle breeze. Wind 4-8mph
Friday
Light cloud and a gentle breeze. Wind 3-10mph
Saturday
Light cloud and a gentle breeze. Wind 4-11mph
Sunday
Light rain and a gentle breeze. Wind 5-10mph
Trends
Winning score
Winning scores the past two years have been hugely different due to weather conditions. Aaron Rai won with -11 last year after horrendous weather on the Saturday. Bernd Wiesberger won with -22 in 2019.
Winning Profile
Since this event has been staged at Renaissance Club, the two winners have been 183rd and 83rd in the world rankings.
Correlating Courses
Although different courses, both players have a solid bank of Irish Open performances. Not something to hang your hat on but of interest.
Course form
Rai had missed the cut in 2019 so no obvious preference towards course form.
Recent form
Both winners had been runner up in their last start. Recent form appears to be a huge bonus.
Nationality
No obvious nationality traits.
Stats Analysis
SG: Off The Tee
Rai was 17th and Wiesberger 50th. A solid driver is preferred.
Driving Distance
62-29. Distance isn't essential.
Driving Accuracy
29-48. Driving Accuracy isn't perceived as essential but as always it helps.
SG: Approach
Rai was 26th and Wiesberger was 3rd. Strong iron play is important.
Greens in Regulation
5-30. Confirms the importance of strong iron play.
SG: Around The Green
Rai was 12th but Wiesberger was 81st. A bonus but not essential.
SG: Putting
36-32. You need to at least to solid with the putter to win here.
In Play
Tough Holes
The 18th hole played as the 2nd toughest in 2020 and toughest in 2019. The 2nd played the toughest last year. The 8th, 9th and 11th have all featured in the top 5 hardest holes the past two years.
Birdie Holes
The par 5s all played under par and the short par 4 5th hole played 3rd easiest last year.
Fast or Slow Start
Neither of the two champions at The Renaissance have been inside the top 28 after Round 1. Bernd Wiesberger led from halfway onwards in 2019 but Aaron Rai was 28th after 36 holes and 10th after 54 holes. However, conditions in Round 3 last year were awful so we should remember that the results last year should be treated with a degree of caution.
Closing stretch
The 16th offers an easy birdie but the final two holes both played over par in 2020 and can cause problems.
