2025 Scottish Open: All you need to know as MacIntyre defends title

Prestige, prize fund and links practice are all key factors.

Now in its fourth year as a PGA Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned event, the Scottish Open doesn’t lack financial heft, boasting a total purse of of $9m (£6.6m) – around $1.5m (£1.1m) of which goes to the winner.

Its pulling power is further enhanced by its slot in the calendar the week before The Open, which this year takes place at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

Players converge on the Scottish Open for vital links preparation and it paid off handsomely last year for Schauffele, who followed his tied 15th-place finish by lifting the Claret Jug seven days later at Royal Troon.

Little wonder that the Scottish Open has “become a staple” in the 31-year-old American’s schedule.

“I wish I could have come over here and played earlier in the year to be honest, just from a mental standpoint,” Schauffele says.

“Something about playing over here relaxes me a little bit. Something about being here, you start taking your hands off the wheel – and that’s how I played my best.”