The Scottish Open isn’t a major.
Not technically.
But ask any player staring down a seaside hazard at Renaissance Club in North Berwick and they’ll tell you differently.
The lineup this year — July 9 to July 12 — reads like a wish list gone wrong. Or right, depending on how you look at it.
It’s the last shot before the Open at Royal Birkdale. That stakes matter.
Chris Gotterup comes back to defend. He won last year after a fight that left everyone breathless. Rory McIlroy is here too. Bookies say he’s the favorite.
Then there’s Scottie Scheffler. World No. 1.
He finished eighth last year.
He’s looking better.
Jon Rahm is the wild card.
First PGA Tour event for him outside the majors since jumping ship to LIV three years ago. The controversy didn’t kill the tour.
Did it change him?
We’ll see on the greens.
The Field Matters More Than You Think
This is one of those weekends where the pressure feels physical.
The course is rugged. The coastline demands respect. Miss by two feet? It’s in the water. Miss by three? It’s next week’s tournament.
That’s why the stars show up.
They need points. They need status. They need to prove they’re ready for next weekend.
“It takes places next weekend at the Royal Birkendale.”
So watch closely.
Especially if you care who stands over the ball in Southport in two weeks’ time.
Where To Watch: US
The Golf Channel gets the early work. Thursday and Friday morning.
But CBS takes over the main event. Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
If you hate linear TV — fair — you’ve got options.
- Paramount+ picks up the CBS feed. Essential plan is $9 a month, though it has ads. Premium+ is $14, ad-free, lets you download shows. Neither includes live local CBS feeds unless you add that extra bit. Wait — actually, both get the John Deere Classic too? Read carefully. The Scottish Open coverage is via Paramount+. Students might get 25% off. Check that.
- ESPN+ carries it all. All four days. Main feeds. Featured groups. Featured holes. It starts at 3:15 a.m. on Thursday? Yes. Really. If you’re into that kind of thing. ESPN Select costs $13. ESPN Unlimited is $30 but throws in everything else ESPN. ESPN. ESPN2. The lot.
Peacock has Golf Channel content for $11 or $17.
Hulu + Live TV? $90.
DirecTV Stream MySports is $65 and slaps ESPN Unlimited in free.
YouTube TV runs $83.
Expensive.
Golf is expensive.
Life is expensive.
UK Viewers
Sky Sports holds the keys.
Golf channel. Main Events. Red Button stuff for extra holes.
If you don’t have a dish?
Now.
It costs £35 for a month. £15 for just a day.
Smart. Buy the day pass for Sunday. Watch Rahm implode or explode.
Australia & Canada
Australia gets Fox Sports on Foxtel.
But most people just use Kayo. Starts at AU$30 for one screen. Premium is $46 for three devices. One-week trial for newbies. No contract lock-ins. F1 included. You’re welcome.
Canada gets TSN.
TSN+ for cord-cutters is CA$25 a month NFL included. Grand Slams included.
It’s a steal compared to American streaming prices.
Schedule: The Details
All times ET. Set alarms. Or don’t. Sleep in.
You’ll miss the opening tee.
-
Thursday
Golf Channel: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
ESPN+: 3:15 a.m. to 2 p.m -
Friday
Golf Channel: 11 a.m. to noon
ESPN+: 3:15 a.m. to noon -
Saturday
Golf Channel: 10 a.m to noon
CBS / Paramount+: Noon to 3 p.m
ESPN+: 3:45 a.m. to 3 p.m -
Sunday
Golf Channel: 10 a.m to 2 p.m
CBS / Paramount+: 1 p.m to 4 p.m (approximate depending on delays)
ESPN+: 6:30 a.m to whenever it ends.
Don’t let the logistics bore you.
The ball flies.
The wind howls.
Someone is going home with a check and a story about nearly losing it in the firth.
Who will it be?
Rory?
Gotterup?
Some kid you’ve never heard of who played through rain on Tuesday?
Check your stream.
Get comfortable.
Let the games begin.
