Staff WriterIt’s that time of year again when the mist rolls in off the Firth of Forth, the breeze carries a faint whiff of deep-fried Mars bars, and golf’s elite descend upon North Berwick like moths to a tartan flame.
The 2025 Genesis Scottish Open has officially teed off at the Renaissance Club, where bagpipes meet big names, and every blade of fescue seems hand-combed.
Running from July 10 to 13, the Genesis Scottish Open isn’t just a tournament—it’s a statement. Now in its fourth year under Genesis’ stewardship, this Rolex Series staple on the DP World Tour calendar offers a princely $9 million purse and a field so stacked it could sink a ferry.
Eight of the top 10 players in the world are here, all trying to tame a course that’s as sly as a Glaswegian taxi driver on derby day.
“We’ve focused on creating the best possible environment for the world’s top players to fully concentrate and perform at their highest level,” said Mike Song, Global Head of Genesis.
“At the same time, for the 80,000 expected spectators, we’re enhancing the Genesis brand experience—not just through world-class golf, but also through interactive programs like the hole-in-one event that invite fans to take part in the excitement.”
Translation? This year’s Genesis Scottish Open is less stuffy clubhouse, more rock concert in FootJoy spikes.
A Field Fit for a Final Major
If the Claret Jug had a younger, flashier sibling, this would be it. The player field is 156 strong and reads like the leaderboard of your dreams.
Defending champ Robert MacIntyre, Rory McIlroy (whose 2023 win here still echoes), and Ludvig Åberg—the man with the swing smoother than a Glenfiddich 21—headline a cast that also includes Morikawa, Schauffele, Scheffler, Fitzpatrick, Rose, and the ever-entertaining Justin Thomas.
Flying the flag for South Korea, Genesis’ homeland, are PGA TOUR regulars Sungjae Im, Siwoo Kim, Joohyung Kim, and 2024 Genesis Championship winner Ben An.
Thanks to sponsor exemptions, rising KPGA stars Wooyoung Cho, Hongtaek Kim, and Junghwan Lee are also in the mix, underscoring Genesis’ habit of putting its money—and cars—where its mouth is.
Oh, and the winner won’t just take home a sizable cheque. They’ll also leave in the Electrified GV70—Genesis’ luxury SUV that’s quieter than your swing coach after a shank.
From Six Irons to Six-Star Experiences
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stumbled into Glastonbury for golfers. The fan experience at the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open is equal parts immersive and eccentric.
The 6th Hole Stadium Experience is back, turning a par-three into a theatre of cheers, chants, and possibly a few tears. Think coliseum vibes, minus the lions.
Then there’s the Hole-in-One competition, where punters who correctly guess the first ace on the sixth hole could net themselves a VIP trip to Korea and a front-row seat at the Genesis Championship. The golfer? They’ll win a GV60, which is only slightly less nerve-racking than the tee shot itself.
If you’re more swing simulator than swing coach, the Fan Zone is your playground:
- Genesis Public Lounge: Located beside the 6th, it’s got everything from VR golf to spicy Korean street food. Also, where else can you sip soju while admiring a concept car that looks like it belongs on the Moon?
- Fringe by the Tee: Music meets mayhem. With acts like KT Tunstall, Irvine Welsh spinning decks, and Fred MacAulay cracking wise, it’s as if Edinburgh Fringe crashed the clubhouse.
- Kids Cheering Zone: A front-row seat for the future of golf fandom, with face paint, flags, and squeals louder than a Rory driver.
- Postcards from the Green: Yep, you can write to your favourite golfer, their caddie, or your nan. And they might just write back.
Genesis has also deployed a fleet of over 100 vehicles—mostly electric—to chauffeur players and officials in a way that’s both classy and carbon-conscious.
Thirteen different Genesis models are on display across the course, just in case you prefer browsing motor shows to birdie putts.
More Than a Badge on the Bonnet
Genesis isn’t just here to slap its name on a leaderboard and call it sponsorship. With a philosophy rooted in the Korean principle of “Son-Nim”—treating every guest like an honoured one—the brand is looking to redefine what luxury means in golf. And, judging by the crowds and the spectacle, they’re not far off.
From investing in grassroots Korean talent to supporting elite global events like the Genesis Scottish Open and Genesis Invitational, the marque is turning heads both on the fairway and the freeway.
As the first tee shot is launched over the East Lothian dunes and into the waiting arms of a hopeful leaderboard, it’s clear: this year’s Genesis Scottish Open isn’t just a prelude to The Open. It’s a full-throttle celebration of everything that makes golf maddening, majestic, and just a little bit mad.
And if you win a Genesis SUV along the way? Even better.
For more on Genesis and its tournament commitments, visit www.genesis.com.
