What are everyone’s thoughts on haggis? Also, what is haggis?

It’s time

Folks, links golf season has begun! The abrdn Scottish Open kicks off tomorrow at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland. A bunch of top names—including Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy—have made the trip in advance of next week’s Open Championship. Scottish Open Tee Times

This is the third Scottish Open that the Renaissance Club has hosted, but last year’s edition took place in October, after the European Tour’s Covid hiatus. This year’s tournament should (fingers crossed) be more of a classic July links test. Regardless, it’s exciting to see the world’s best male players back at a seaside course in Great Britain. Enjoy the next two weeks!

Today, Junior

The latest edition of Capital One’s The Match took place in Big Sky Country yesterday. Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers defeated Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in a match that took no less than 15 hours to complete. Hm? Ah, getting word that it actually took about five and a half hours, which is still a ridiculous amount of time to ask people to pay attention to an exhibition golf match.

That said, it was a decently fun made-for-TV product. Phil held court, Bryson and Brady were as awkward as everyone expected, and Aaron Rodgers continually poked fun at his own partner. The match also gave us a weird video of Bryson shadow-boxing as he got into a helicopter and equally bizarre footage of Tom Brady hitting driver 392 yards (at elevation) to reach a par 4 in one.

At the end of the day, it was pretty entertaining and it raised a lot of money for charity. Maybe just do it a little faster next time, fellas.

A sneak peek

Two months ahead of the Solheim Cup, players got a look at Inverness Club this week before heading over to Highland Meadows for the Marathon LPGA Classic. Brooke Henderson, Nasa Hataoka, Ariya Jutanugarn, Jessica Korda, and defending champion Danielle Kang headline the field. Tee Times

Inverness Club underwent a 2017 renovation by Andrew Green and is set to jump back into the spotlight at the Solheim Cup. Players seemed to love the course when the LPGA visited it last year, and word from the practice rounds has been promising. Keep an eye on the 18th hole: it’s a prime spot for drama, and we’d be surprised if it doesn’t play a big role this September. Get your popcorn ready!

Quick Hooks

It’s a(nother) major week! The 41st U.S. Senior Open kicks off on Thursday at Omaha Country Club. With temperatures expected to reach the high 90s on Friday, we can only hope that PGA Tour Champions players have invested in some clothing with performance materials. Tee Times

One week from now you’ll be hearing all about Marty Dou’s victory at the Korn Ferry Tour’s TPC Colorado Championship. David Duval (prepping for the Open Championship), Taylor Pendrith, Cameron Young, and Nick Hardy are also in the field. Tee Times

Viktor Hovland is getting ready for the Open in his home country of Norway. As part of that prep, he booked a tee time at a local course. Word got out and hundreds of people flocked to the course to watch his round. Full Story from Brendan Porath

Matilda Castren is the only player from Europe to win on the LPGA Tour this year, but she is not eligible for the Solheim Cup (yet). Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols broke down the rules that are keeping one of the top young Europeans from competing in one of the best events of the year. Full Story

The men’s Olympic field is now finalized. HERE is who will be heading to Tokyo at the end of the month.

Damon Hack and Shane Bacon had the pleasure of informing this First Tee participant that he had been selected to participate in the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach later this year.

The Latest from The Fried Egg

TFE Events – Event registrations for the Fresno Scraper at Prairie Dunes on 10/4 and the Royal Rumble at Lancaster CC will open up on Tuesday, July 20! All other events, including our upcoming event at Davenport CC on 7/26 are also open for registration.

Paulie’s Picks: John Deere Classic – Is fantasy golf as easy this week as putting Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson in your lineup? Get Paulie’s full breakdown of DraftKings and one-and-done picks for the John Deere Classic.

Shotgun Start: The Match that wouldn’t end, Baton tricks on links turf, and new awards

Andy and Brendan could not wait any longer, so this was recorded as the Match at Moonlight Basin was on the 14th hole or so and still finishing up sometime in hour five. They offer some initial reactions to the made-for-TV event, including Bryson’s stiffness and whether he got straight up outplayed by Aaron Rodgers. They also discuss the outrageous pace of play and a course that looked like it would make many want to quit. There’s also the subject of Fake Bears. The event of the week is the Scottish Open, which is also the subject of the second leg of the Coffee Pot (enter that pool here folks). They discuss Renaissance Club, the Americans overseas chasing a Race to Dubai title, and whether Billy Boy may be able to try some new baton tricks on the firmer linksy turf. Over on the PGA Tour, they lament the Deere’s spot on the schedule while praising its mission and location and its existence. News hits on the new Nicklaus-Jacklin award that very few people could have asked for and Sunny Kim’s continued dominance at Abacoa. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify.

Pro Shop

After seeing the temperatures that players at Omaha Country Club will face this week, we knew we had to stock up on towels. Introducing the new TFE Alternate Logo towel! Get yours in navy or green today!