DEFENDING champion Xander Schauffele is among the golfing stars teeing off at The Renaissance Club on Thursday.

The Genesis Scottish Open tees off at 7.15am with more than 150 golfers aiming to repeat the American’s success.

Eight of the world’s top 10 golfers will be lining up on the course, near Dirleton, including world number one Scottie Scheffler, who missed the cut last year.

Schauffele, who held off a final day race up the leaderboard by Kurt Kitayama, is looking to become the first man to win back-to-back titles at the event.

The 29-year-old 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 at last year's edition.

It was one of three titles in 2022 for the reigning Olympic champion, who won his maiden DP World Tour and World Golf Championships title at the WGC-HSBC Champions in 2018.

East Lothian Courier: World number one: Scottie Scheffler is among those playing at The Renaissance ClubWorld number one: Scottie Scheffler is among those playing at The Renaissance Club

At last month's US Open, he hit a bogey-free 62 to equal the lowest round at a Major.

Looking ahead to the event, he said: “I can’t wait to return to The Renaissance Club to defend my Genesis Scottish Open title.

"It was a special week, winning my first title in Europe and the way I did it, digging in on Sunday and making it count down the stretch to get it over the line.

“The fans really got behind me, which just added to the experience of playing in Scotland, and I’m looking forward to coming back in July.”

Lining up at the event alongside Scheffler and Schauffele are Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, Viktor Hovland, Max Homa, Matt Fitzpatrick and Jordan Spieth, who are all ranked in the world top 10.

 

 

This week’s tournament, which concludes on Sunday, is being held in East Lothian for the sixth consecutive year.

Brandon Stone won at Gullane in 2018 with The Renaissance Club hosting the last four Scottish Opens.

Each tournament has proved a tight affair, with winners from 2019 to 2021 – Bernd Wiesberger, Aaron Rai and Min Woo Lee – all taking the glory after a play-off.

Eight Scottish golfers will also be lining up on Thursday, including Richie Ramsay, of The Renaissance Club, and Grant Forrest.

East Lothian Courier: Grant Forrest on the first tee at The Renaissance ClubGrant Forrest on the first tee at The Renaissance Club

Thirty-year-old Forrest, who lives near Haddington, missed the cut last year but was looking forward to the competition when he spoke to Courier Sport in May.

He said: “They look after us as pros so well.

“We’ve always been welcome to practice here and we get treated like a normal member and we are so lucky to have that.

“There aren’t many places in Scotland of this quality that welcome guys in like they do here.

“Having the Scottish Open here for the coming years is just a great opportunity to build on its success.”

The tournament also provides a rare opportunity for Forrest to be cheered on his family and friends.

He said: “It’s great: most of my family comes down to watch and the in-laws too.

“It’s great to have a local group supporting you and spurring you on. You’ve got try and use that the best you can.”