As Renaissance Club once again hosts this week’s Genesis Scottish Open, Thomas Detry might be a smart horse to back.
Now in its third year as an officially recognised PGA Tour event, the annual visit to North Berwick is now no longer just a mere pointer for the week to follow.
Indeed, as Royal Troon hosts this year’s Open Championship, next week’s trip west to Ayrshire sees the Scottish Open as vital prep.
And, with a purse of $9million, Detry could just be a shrewd punt to at the very least, place.
Detry on rise
Golfing history and Belgium have not exactly been synonymous with success. Far from it.
Only Nicolas Colsaerts has close to forged his name on the global stage from the low countries, however Thomas Detry is starting to make waves.
The same waves could continue to ripple off the Scottish coast this week.
After an at best chequered career, a move to the PGA Tour for Detry in 2023 has finally seen the pieces fall into place.
A former Junior Ryder player in 2010, even though his only win to date remains on the Challenge Tour in 2018, there is a performer there and vitally, now so the form has come.
A hole-out worth a big smile 😄@TomDetry | @Robert1Lefty pic.twitter.com/SzIbjAnn5m
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 26, 2024
Ineligible to play at Augusta back in April, Detry put on a storming finish over the weekend at Valhalla to finish T4 in the PGA Championship.
Then at Pinehurst for last month’s US Open, the Belgian briefly led the field on Friday, before – like many – found the going tough over the weekend to follow.
Where Detry might come into his own this week though, the 31-year-old was runner-up here at Renaissance three years ago, in its final year as the Abrdn Scottish Open.
Having lost out in a playoff with Matt Fitzpatrick to Australian Min Woo Lee in 2021, the European has already proven a liking for the East Lothian course.
Finishing just outside the top 12 at Royal Liverpool 12 months back, given his up-turn in form, Detry can make an impact this week at 60/1 for 8 places with William Hill.
Contenders
The lead contenders at Renaissance are once again headed by Rory McIlroy, still burning from throwing away victory at Pinehurst.
Surrendering a two-stroke victory with four holes to play in North Carolina, the ten-year major itch continues for the Northern Irishman.
But as the defending champion here, McIlroy’s woes could be eased.
The man McIlroy dethroned, Xander Schauffele, is the newest name into the major winner’s enclosure after his own PGA Championship win at Valhalla.
The American will also defend his Olympic crown in Paris later this month, so his game is likely to be on-song.
Scottie Scheffler, meanwhile, free from the tragic memories of Kentucky and the difficult conditions in the US Open, comes here off a fifth PGA Tour win this season – not including a second Green Jacket at Augusta.
From victory in the Travellers Championship in Hartford, Scheffler is approaching his best form once more for the Links swing, but might he be saving his best for Troon?
As the LIVGolf troupe miss out before the final major of the season, that might pave the way for Ludvig Aberg to notch a second Tour win.
The impressive Swede, in 14 events played this term has six top 10 finishes, including a runner-up place at the Masters.
Compatriot Henrik Stenson remains the only Swede to have claimed the Claret Jug, and Aberg will have his sights on the Open Championship in mere days.
In any event, Aberg’s chances over the next fortnight look strong, and just perhaps they may rise at Renaissance.
The 2024 Genesis Scottish Open begins on Thursday at Renaissance Club, North Berwick.
