Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Macintyre eyes home comforts
SCOTLAND’S Robert Macintyre hopes he can go one better at this year’s Genesis Scottish Open.
It was confirmed yesterday the 27-year-old will make his sixth consecutive appearance in his home open this summer at the Renaissance Club from July 10-14.
Xander Schauffele and Tom Kim were also among the latest names confirmed to be teeing up at the Scottish Open this summer.
Macintyre, a member of the victorious European Ryder Cup team in Italy, finished second at last year’s Scottish Open to Rory Mcilroy and will once again be vying to become the first Scot to win the event since Colin Montgomerie in 1999.
The Oban golfer said: “Last year was incredible and heartbreaking at the same time – the reception from the fans on 18, the chance of winning my national open; this is the reason I play this sport.
“I want to play the Genesis Scottish Open for the rest of my life. I have dreamed of winning this event since I was a kid, so I will always give my best and I can’t wait to come back to play in front of the home crowds. It’s always a highlight of my summer and I look forward to trying to get my hands on that trophy in what is a massive year.”
World No 4 Schauffele sealed his maiden Rolex Series title with a gritty level par final round of 70 in East Lothian in 2022 as he became the first player to win an event co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA Tour outside of the majors and World Golf Championships.
The 2020 Olympic gold medal winner, who has seven top 10 finishes to his name this season, is looking forward to returning to the scene of his first win in Scotland in the week before the 152nd Open at Royal Troon. The 30-year-old is preparing for a huge summer in Europe as he looks ahead to defending his gold medal at the Paris Summer Olympics Games in early August.
He said: “I’m looking forward to coming back to the Renaissance Club for the Genesis Scottish Open.
“Winning in Scotland a couple years ago was amazing, there is so much history to the game in this country and the fans really got behind me, so it was a very special moment in my career.
“I’m hopeful of representing Team USA once again at the Olympics Games in Paris. I’m in a good position to qualify and if all goes to plan, the Genesis Scottish Open will be key in making sure my golf game is right up there to compete against the best players in the world.”
For 21-year-old Kim it will be his third appearance at the Genesis Scottish Open, after impressing with a third-place finish in Scotland in 2022, followed by a tied six finish at the same event in 2023.
The Seoul native said: “The Genesis Scottish Open has so much history and I’ve loved playing at the Renaissance Club the last couple of years.
I’ve had some good results, and it sets me up nicely the week before The Open, so I’m excited to spend a couple of weeks in Scotland.”