2025 Genesis Scottish Open: Martin Dempster's daily divots

Big names out early at North Berwick this year

It’s become part and parcel of Genesis Scottish Open week in East Lothian - and it started early this year.

On Monday night, Ryan Fox and Daniel Berger, the world 29 and 31 respectively, turned up at North Berwick West Links and headed out for a game.

Pulling his own clubs, Fox played in a group that included local member Gordon Milligan, who described the Kiwi as a “great bloke”, and past North Berwick and Bass Rock champion George Cochrane.

American Berger, meanwhile, was out in another group as the duo followed in the footsteps of the likes of Max Homa, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth after they all did likewise over the past few years.

Bill McColl’s son on caddying duties

Richie Ramsay’s current caddie is the son of Scot who once picked up a prestigious prize in The Open next door at Muirfield.

Josh McColl picked up the Aberdonian’s bag recently, having also caddied for 2019 Genesis Scottish Open winner Bernd Wiesberger at one point.

His dad Bill was a European Tour player who teed up in seven majors and won the Tooting Bec Cup, awarded for the lowest round by a British player, for his 68 in the 1980 Open.

Indeed, Josh wears the Tooting Bec Cup medal on a chain around his neck in memory of his dad, who died two years ago.

‘Stadium Hole’ highlight for Scottish Golf youngster

The stands may have been empty around the ‘Stadium Hole’ but it was still something to remember for 17-year-old Lara Douglas.

Playing in the first of two pro-ams for the $9 million Rolex Series event, the Glenbervie player was close to making a hole-in-one at what is playing as the sixth hole at The Renaissance Club this week.

With Matteo Manassero as the pro before Richie Ramsay took over on the back nine and fellow Scottish Golf players Louisa Hamilton and Melissa Keay also in the group, Douglas made a birdie 2 and her face told how pleasing that had been.

Also taking part in Tuesday’s pro-am were Luca Smith, Fraser Walters and Alexander Yuill, who played with Jordan Smith on the front nine then Grant Forrest on the back nine.

Close shave for Xander Schauffele!

It might have been a first in a golf media centre - a golfer talking about shaving his legs!

In fairness to 2022 winner and current Open champion Xander Schauffele, it was in relation to him teaming up with Theo Health, a Scottish sports startup specialising in smart clothing to support athletes around injury prevention and recovery.

“We were shaving bits of my leg off to put the sensor in,” said the American of being involved in the prototype stage. “When you get hurt, it looks at how your leg is firing, how certain parts of your body are firing and you use the sensor to see if there's a matchup on the left and right.

“The way it was explained to me is if you're coming back from injury, it's a really unique and interesting way to recover.”