Genesis Scottish Open guide - Martin Dempster's top tips

Here’s our Genesis Scottish Open guide as the East Lothian venues stages the Rolex Series event for the eighth year in a row, with Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy, Bob MacIntyre and Chris Gotterup having been the last four winners.

Course change

Be warned if you are rushing to either the 1st or tenth 10th tees to catch a particular group the first seven holes of each nine have been reversed for this edition. That means what used to be the tenth is the 1st next week and vice versa. It’s mainly been done to allow the former 6th to become the 15th and expand viewing capacity on the back nine.

Sting in the tail!

What used to be the 6th was called ‘The Stadium’, but the new 15th has been rebranded as ‘The Thistle’. The atmosphere there has been great in recent years and, with a host up by the green getting the fans stirred up, it should be even better as people stay there longer to see the final groups come through, especially over the weekend.

Key hole

There’s nothing better in golf than a drivable par 4 and, at around 320 yards, what will be playing as the 14th this year as opposed to the fifth in the past is somewhere that an eagle could provide a springboard for one of those big finishes that can land trophies.

Best seat in the house

A grandstand that was behind the signature hole on the Tom Doak-designed course is no longer there due to the re-routing. However, the one overlooking the new 3rd and 5th greens looks out across the Firth of Forth so offers stunning views, with bars and food close at hand.

One to watch

It’s got to be Bob MacIntyre! The Oban man thrilled the home fans with his win in this event in 2024 and is making his first appearance on Scottish soil since he also landed the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews last October. He’s developing a knack of pulling off tartan triumphs.

Musical treat

Fans could literally be ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ at this year’s event, with British band Toploader heading the Fringe by the Tee stage in the Fan Zone on Saturday night. It’s a great way to end a day out on the course and even better if Mother Nature plays ball!

Heading home

If you’ve not got the car, I’d recommend a visit to the Old Clubhouse in Gullane, where you will definitely bump into a few caddies during the week and even the odd player. If you’ve got the car, a stop at the Gullane Super Fry isn’t a bad shout. There’s a good chance you could bump into this correspondent in both places at some point during the week!