World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has proven to have thoroughly evaluated the conditions of the courses he will face on the European tour, from the grass to the weather. No wonder the issue has featured heavily in his recent press conferences.
This is no small matter. After all, links courses are especially known for the effects the weather has on them, and The Renaissance, host of this week’s Scottish Open, is no different.
The Ridgewood, New Jersey native signed for a 3-under 67 after his opening 18. That places him three shots off the lead, but he has different expectations going forward.
“This golf course in particular, the wind has a big effect on the way the golf course plays,” he said after his first round performance.
“I think tomorrow in the afternoon we’ll get the total opposite wind than we had today. So that will be a new challenge and something I get prepared for.”
Scottie Scheffler of the United States putts on the 18th green on day one of the Genesis Scottish Open 2025 at The Renaissance Club on July 10, 2025 in North Berwick, Scotland.
Scottie Scheffler of the United States putts on the 18th green on day one of the Genesis Scottish Open 2025 at The Renaissance Club on July 10, 2025 in North Berwick, Scotland.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
However, the World No. 1 was grateful that, at least on the first day, the wind was not breaking any records.
“It definitely got a bit breezy out there at times, not like it can really blow here but there’s definitely a breeze.”
“That’s something that’s got to be factored in on pretty much every shot. It was a good amount of wind to play on this course.”
Scottie Scheffler left scoring on the table
At the start of the day, it looked like Scottie Scheffler himself would break several records, opening with a spectacular eagle on the 10th hole (his first). However, this wasn’t an exact premonition of what would happen over the next 17 holes.
Scheffler strung together five consecutive pars to close the first nine with birdie and par on the last two holes and make the turn at 3-under. His main problems arose on the second nine, where he carded two birdies and two bogeys to finish at 3-under for the round.
The score, while solid, wasn’t at all what Scheffler had hoped for:
“I feel like I could have got a little bit more out of my round,” he said.
“I felt like I did some good things that I didn’t quite get rewarded for after my start but you know, 3-under, I wish I could have had a couple of bogeys back but overall, not too bad.”
Scheffler will tee off at 8:43 am Eastern Time on Friday, again sharing a group with Rory McIlroy and Robert MacIntyre.
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