This actually wasn’t within the Scottish Open script. Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Will Zalatoris led a excessive profile exodus from East Lothian, having missed the lower within the match that precedes the Open Championship.
The performances of Thomas, the lately topped US PGA champion, and Morikawa, who will defend the Claret Jug at St Andrews from Thursday, had been particularly notable. Thomas added a 77 to a primary spherical of 73 to crash out at 10 over par. Morikawa fared 5 photographs higher however a plus 5 whole – the identical rating as Billy Horschel and native favorite Robert McIntyre – meant the Californian lasted simply 36 holes.
So, too, did Ian Poulter. The Englishman, who has signed for the insurgent LIV Golf Sequence, received an enchantment to play in Scotland however delivered rounds of 78 and 72. Min Woo Lee, the defending champion, fared one stroke worse at 11 over.
Towards this story of woe, the 65 of Xander Schauffele and 66 from Matt Fitzpatrick leapt out. Fitzpatrick will fancy his Open possibilities after incomes his maiden main win on the US Open simply final month. For now, although, he has Scottish Open glory in his sights.
“I’ve had a lot help with folks saying ‘congrats’ and ‘preserve it going’ as you’re strolling onto tees and greens,” mentioned Fitzpatrick. “It’s been very nice to be on the market.”
Jordan Smith’s gap in a single on the 17th earned each the golfer and his caddie, Sam Matton, the prize of a brand new automotive courtesy of Genesis, the match sponsor. “Sam is an enormous a part of that gap, so it’s nice that they've managed to help caddies for that as nicely,” mentioned Smith.
Thomas Bjørn, the previous European Ryder Cup captain, was heading for a missed lower however suffered the additional ignominy of disqualification after signing for the unsuitable rating. Bjørn was embarrassed by the state of affairs. “First [time] for every little thing,” he mentioned. “I even checked the scores the best way I usually do. Golf was terrible and must get again to the grind but it surely’s not a pleasant look to be DQ’d and it’s unprofessional.”
The R&A, in the meantime, has introduced a 22% rise within the prize fund for the Open. A complete of $14m shall be performed for on the Outdated Course. The champion will obtain a cheque for $2.5m together with the Claret Jug. “Prize cash has elevated by greater than 60% since 2016,” mentioned Martin Slumbers, the chief govt of the R&A. Daniel Berger has withdrawn from the main due to a again damage.
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