New era for golf's strategic alliance: What to expect from Scottish Open

Scotland oozes with history and when you discover that the Genesis Scottish Open is on the horizon, perhaps your first thought is: At which ageless classic is it being held? Surely one that dates to the 1820s? Or perhaps the 1850s? But it has to be pre-1900, yes?

No. It's The Renaissance Club, and it came online in 2008. Understandably, you might be perplexed, maybe even dismayed, but you shouldn't be. Hit the stop sign and take comfort. The Renaissance is in step with all of Scotland golf.

Ignore the date on The Renaissance Club's birth certificate because master designer Tom Doak, backed with great zeal and commitment by American Jerry Sarvadi and his family, did a masterful job in blending these 300 acres into an ancient section of Scotland and making it look like it's been there for 200 years.

The Genesis Scottish Open will be contested there for a fourth straight year and in a land where the word "links" is treated with such reverence, you don't receive elite status across the globe without being true to your heritage.

Xander Schauffele, who led a healthy list of Americans who played Renaissance last summer, felt it definitely passed the test. He said: "(Maybe) it's more an American links-style course with greens that are very dramatic in undulation and slope. But I think the course is awesome. I think it's fun."

It's been especially fun in each of the last three years for rising Aussie standout Min Woo Lee (2021), England's Aaron Rai (2020) and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger (2019) - winners of the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, although no style of golf is meant to be played in the elements quite like links.

"Links golf is designed for the wind and some sort of weather," said Scotsman Robert McIntyre. "If you