Five-time major winner set for first Genesis Scottish Open start since 2015

Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka is set to make his first Genesis Scottish Open appearance in 11 years after being confirmed for next month’s edition along with current major champions Aaron Rai and JJ Spaun.

Koepka used a win in the Scottish Challenge at Macdonald Spey Valley in Aviemore in 2013 as a springboard to become a multiple winner on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.

He made three consecutive appearances in the Scottish Open from 2013 to 2015 at Castle Stuart, Royal Aberdeen and Gullane, finishing tied for 12th behind Phil Mickelson in the first of those events near Inverness.

Brooks Koepka pictured during an appearance on Scottish soil in last year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship | Luke Walker/Getty Images

The 36-year-old was ineligible for the Rolex Series tournament when he was a LIV Golf player before being handed a lifeline by the US circuit earlier this year after deciding to quit the breakaway circuit.

“I have great memories of playing in Scotland over the years, going way back to that victory in 2013, so it’s cool to be going back to the Genesis Scottish Open this summer,” admitted the three-time PGA Championship winner and double US Open champion.

“It’s in a great spot in the week before The Open, and has an interesting field with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour guys coming together, so I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do.”Rai, who beat Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off to win the Scottish Open in 2020, will be returning to The Renaissance Club the first English player in more than 100 years to win the PGA Championship.

Now up to 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking, Rai will be making a ninth consecutive appearance in the event after joining a stellar field that will be headed by world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, second-ranked Rory McIlroy and top Scot Bob MacIntyre.

Aaron Rai ‘excited’ by Scottish Open return

"The win at Renaissance Club in 2020 was really special,” admitted Rai. “I played a lot in Scotland growing up, and being able to win on Scottish soil was an incredible feeling. A lot has happened in the six years since, and particularly in the last few weeks, but I am as excited as ever to be coming back to the Genesis Scottish Open.”

Spaun made his Genesis Scottish Open debut last year after pipping MacIntyre a few weeks earlier to win the US Open, with the American’s title defence now looming at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island.

“I’ve played the Genesis Scottish Open a couple of times in the past, and this year I hope it’s part of another exciting summer,” said Spaun, who landed a third PGA Tour victory in the Valero Texas Open in April.

“I have a big couple of weeks coming up, and then I’m looking forward to getting back over to the UK for this event and The Open.”

Aaron Rai, the 2020 Genesis Scottish Open winner, will be teeing up in this year’s edition as the PGA champion after getting his hands on the Wanamaker Trophy last month | Getty Images

Other players confirmed for next month’s event include defending champion Chris Gotterup, 2022 winner Xander Schauffele, two-time PGA champion Justin Thomas and European Ryder Cup star Viktor Hovland.

Though not yet officially confirmed and that unlikely to happen until closer to the time, Jon Rahm has revealed he will also be teeing up as part of the agreement the LIV Golf star has struck with the DP World Tour in order to ensure he is eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland.

Genesis Scottish Open tickets are on sale at etg.golf/GSO26Tickets.