Rory McIlroy tees up key Scottish date in bid to equal Race to Dubai title record

The five-time major winner will be making his fourth successive appearance in the $9 million Rolex Series event, having followed his dramatic title triumph three years ago by finishing fourth behind Bob MacIntyre in 2024 then tying for second as Chris Gotterup landed the prize last summer.

“It’s always an honour to compete in a national open, and I’m excited to be back at the Genesis Scottish Open this summer,” said McIlroy, who is a combined 42 under par for his last 12 rounds on the Tom Doak-designed course on Scotland’s Golf Coast.

It took a sensational birdie-birdie finish for the Northern Irishman to pip MacIntyre in 2023, making history in the process as he became the first player to triumph in the national opens of both Scotland and Ireland as well as The Open.

“Winning in 2023 created some great memories, and I’m looking forward to building on my strong performances at The Renaissance Club,” added the world No 2.

McIlroy, who became just the sixth player to complete a career grand slam when winning The Masters last April, will be looking to pick up some big Race to Dubai points on 9-12 July as he bids to be crowned as European No 1 for a record-equalling eighth time.

On the back of two wins in December, young South African Jayden Schaper currently leads the Race to Dubai, with Patrick Reed in close pursuit after winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic then finishing joint-second in the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship.

Reed’s decision to leave LIV Golf means he’s likely to be a serious threat to McIlroy in the battle for the Harry Vardon Trophy this year. The American is teeing up in fourth straight event on the circuit this week in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

Helped by a sensational 61 in the second round, Gotterup claimed a two-shot success in last year’s Genesis Scottish Open, with the American now a three-time PGA Tour winner after his victory in last month’s Sony Open in Hawaii.

The Genesis Scottish Open will be the second Rolex Series event of the 2026 Race to Dubai and first tournament in the DP World Tour’s Closing Swing, with tickets on sale now at etg.golf/GSO26Tickets

The fan experience at the event includes the Fringe by the Tee pop-up stage, in conjunction with the Fringe by the Sea festival, which in 2025 featured a Saturday headline slot from KT Tunstall, the Grammy-nominated, Brit Award-winning artist, with this year’s line-up to be announced soon.

General admission tickets for the Genesis Scottish Open start from as low as £35, with fans having the option to elevate their experience with Ticket+ as well as our two Premium Experiences: Green on 18 and Thistle Club.

General admission daily or season tickets can be purchased now at etg.golf/GSO26Tickets Ticket+, which offers an enhanced experience including reserved bar and viewing area, preferential parking and meal vouchers can be purchased at etg.golf/GSO26TicketPlus And for the Green on 18 or Thistle Club Premium Experiences, purchase at etg.golf/GSO26PremiumExperience