Baylor School alum List eager to play British Open for 1st time
Luke List’s finest professional season is no longer confined to the PGA Tour.
The former Baylor School and Vanderbilt University golfer tied for third this past weekend at the Scottish Open, using an opening round 7-under-par 63 and a closing 64 to finish at 15-under 265. List had the lowest total of any American player at the event, topping Rickie Fowler’s 266 and 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed’s 270.
“It was such a special week to be over in Scotland again,” List said. “I have so many great memories of being here 12 years ago for the Palmer Cup and vacationing with my parents afterward. Golf aside, it was just such an enjoyable week with my wife (Chloe). We were able to walk to dinners and enjoy the local atmosphere.
“It felt like the golf was just a bonus, because I’ve been so blessed to be able to travel the world and see so many incredible places. I was just really enjoying myself on the course.”
List earned $394,100 for his showing, which is his second-highest amount this year behind the $712,800 he received for his runner-up finish to Justin Thomas at the Honda Classic in February. The 33-year-old ranks 23rd in the FedEx Cup standings with 1,025 points and 25th on the money list with a haul of $2,534,209.
His placement in the FedEx Cup race through last month’s Travelers Championship has enabled him to remain in Scotland for this week’s British Open at famed Carnoustie. List has played in four U.S. Opens, including last month in Shinnecock Hills, one Masters and one PGA Championship, but this will be his first British Open.
“I’m going to try and carry what I did last week into this week and treat it like another tournament,” he said. “I’ve struggled in my previous majors, but I’m going to enjoy my time in Scotland regardless of how I play. I’m definitely excited to
play my first Open championship.”
List tied for 33rd as an amateur in the 2005 Masters, but that remains his lone made cut at a major.
Regardless of how he performs this week, the former Ringgold resident who now lives in California and soon will be moving to Augusta, Georgia, already has discovered another home away from home.
“Even though I’ve only been to Scotland twice now, I already have a special love for the place because of the many memories with my dad (Mark),” List said. “His passing was three years ago, and I felt particularly close to him this past week, because he had such an affinity for Scotland and the links style.
“It was great to relive those memories and to share new ones with my wife, who is expecting our first child. I couldn’t be in a better place off the course, which translates to being happy on the course.” List is scheduled to tee off Thursday at 1:57 a.m. EDT and Friday at 6:58 a.m., with his threesome including Emiliano Grillo and 2016 Masters champ Danny Willett.