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Scot Robert MacIntyre looks primed for a big performance in his National Open after missing the Irish Open after being identified as a Covid close contact.
That may help help him though as he comes in here fresh, into what promises to be a massive two weeks in both Scotland and the Open Championship at Royal St George’s.
MacIntyre grew up playing links golf and always seems to play his best when encountering these types of courses. His form has been solid recently, including when 35th at the US Open on his last start.
He finished 14th in this event last year (played in October) and that was a strong performance considering he started the tournament with a round of 74.
I make him as a very live outsider heading into the Open Championship next week and he can enhance those claims by winning now at The Renaissance Club.
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England’s Aaron Rai is the defending champion after spread-eagling the field last year with a final round 64. He warmed up for this with a good performance at Mount Juliet last week, finishing 12th behind one of our tips, 30/1 winner Lucas Herbert.
Rai has made seven appearances in Scotland on the European Tour and has posted five top 25 finishes, including last year’s victory and a third-placed effort at the Scottish Championship towards the end of last year.
He looks a big enough price for a defending champion returning to form and his stats of first in driving accuracy (DA) and 13th for greens in regulation (GIR), prove his long game is working well.
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