Scottie Scheffler is Birkdale-bound after shock early Genesis Scottish Open exit

Scottie Scheffler is heading to Royal Birkdale earlier than he expected to begin his preparations for a title defence in the 154th Open after a second missed cut in the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.

This early exit in East Lothian hurt more than the one in 2022. It would be the first time the American had missed a cut since the FedEx St Jude Classic the same year, having then gone on a streak where he successfully made it to the weekend in 78 consecutive events.

Scottie Scheffler reacts after finishing his round on the ninth green on day two of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club | Warren Little/Getty Images

Having opened with a two-under-par 68 in his latest start and heading out in calm morning conditions for the second circuit, it looked like a golden opportunity for Scheffler to catapult himself up the leaderboard in the $9 million Rolex Series event.

Instead, he was quickly treading water. Two shots were dropped in the first three holes. A first birdie of the day at the par-3 15th - his sixth - was wiped out by a bogey two holes later and, for once, there was no Scheffler charge on a back nine when his back was against the wall.

His sole birdie on the inward journey came at the par-5 first, with his fate then being sealed by a bogey to finish, having come up just short at the par-3 ninth and leaving himself with a tester for par, which he duly missed. It resulted in him signing for a 72 and a level-par total, which was two shots short of making the top 65 and ties.

“I got off to a tough start and then, on the back nine, I just felt like I wasn't in there close enough to give myself enough opportunities,” said the world No 1 of his disappointing day’s work. “Yeah, overall just not quite good enough. Like I said, I felt like I was hitting it a little too far from the hole.”

Scheffler had talked after his opening round about how two bogeys on his card had “hurt”. How did he feel about something that hadn’t happened to him for such a long time, having landed 16 title triumphs, including three majors, in that consistent run.

“Yeah, I mean, it's a little different now with some of the Signature Events not having cuts,” he admitted. “But, you know, this is, I don't think I finished outside of the top 20 or something like that many times this year. So I'm definitely proud of the consistency and wish I had a couple days over the weekend to kind of make up some ground.”

Instead, he’ll be heading down the M6 at some point when the final two rounds are being played. “A little different than I was planning!” admitted Scheffler, smiling, in reply to being asked how his preparation now looks for the season’s final major. “So I guess I'll figure out how I'll get down to Birkdale.

Scottie Scheffler shakes hands with Ian Finnis, Tommy Fleetwood’s caddie, at the The Renaissance Club | Getty Images

“Yeah, I mean, I didn't really feel like I played that bad. This golf course I think can be just tough at times. You know, there's some humps and mounds out there. And this is a golf course I feel like I can play well on. I just haven't in the past for some reason. You know, I think this is my second missed cut here. For whatever reason, I just haven't played my best golf on this course.”

That’s not entirely correct. The game’s dominant force finished joint-12th on his debut here in 2021 before that first missed cut 12 months later. He then finished third behind Rory McIlroy in 2023, sat out 2024 due to the Olympics in Paris before tying for eighth last year and then being crowned as Open champion at Royal Portrush the following week.

“I mean, it's funny,” he replied to being asked if he would be back on Scotland’s Golf Coast for next year’s event. “Like last year, I felt like I got really frustrated on this golf course. I'm playing some good golf and just not really able to get anything going as well.

“You know what, I went and played well at the Open Championships. So, it suited me well over the years. But, like I said, I haven't played well here, but I've played pretty well at the Open. So, it's always a balance.

“It could be one of those things where you just get over jet lag, get used to a new style of golf, new types of grasses, and maybe I just haven't adjusted as quickly. Maybe this golf course doesn't suit my eye. I'll reflect on that kind of thing through the year. And I'll assess what my plans are going into next season.”