As usual the abrdn Scottish Open features one of the strongest fields on the European Tour calendar. It's always played the week before The Open and provides a great opportunity for the players to get used to the windy Scottish links before one of the biggest weeks in golf.
Who are the favorites?
Tyrrell Hatton
Tyrrell Hatton at the U.S. Open © Getty Images
Tyrrell Hatton hasn't played since the U.S Open at Torrey Pines where he missed the cut. The Englishman has a win and two other top 10s in his last three regular European Tour events. Hatton knows how to deal with the windy Scottish coasts. Two of his six European Tour titles came at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship which is played on three iconic Scottish links.
Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa at the U.S. Open © Getty Images
Collin Morikawa took two weeks-off after the U.S Open where he finished tied for fourth. The American, ranked fourth in the world, is in great shape and has four top 10s in his last five starts. He hasn't missed a cut since the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open last October.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm at the U.S. Open © Getty Images
World number one Jon Rahm will make his first appearance since he claimed his maiden major at the U.S. Open. The Spaniard is in great shape and he is Win-WD-T8 in his last three starts. Ram had to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament because of a positive COVID-19 test.
Form-horse
Richard Bland
Richard Bland © Getty Images
At age of 48, Richard Bland is playing the best golf in his career. The Englishman claimed his maiden European Tour title in May at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett and since then carded two more top 5's on the European Tour. Bland even had the lead after the second round of the U.S Open, but ran out of steam during the weekend and finished tied for 50th.
Wildcard
Grant Forrest
Grant Forrest at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open © Getty Images
The last Scot to win the Scottish Open was Colin Montgomerie who claimed the title in 1999. What a story it would be if Grant Forrest wins his maiden tour title in front of the home crowds. Forest finished tied for fourth last week at the Irish Open. Last year the Scot finished tied for 19th at his national open.
