Why Open hopefuls Schauffele and Morikawa are smart to tee it up in Scotland
History says players give themselves the best chance of winning the Open Championship by playing the week before.
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Some like a competitive warm-up; others prefer a quieter build-up away from tournament action.
But when it comes to the Open Championship, history says that the wise move is to tee it up the week before.
For American golfers, it seems to make particular sense. After all, they get to play hardly any links golf so having a brush up in the previous week's Scotttish Open lessens the culture shock.
So, with that eight out of 10 stat in mind, punters pondering their bets for next week's Open at Royal St George's will note that Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler are all playing the Scottish Open.
They will also note that Dustin Johson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka are not.
World No.4 Morikawa has never played an event on European soil so could definitely do with some links reps.
World No.3 Justin Thomas knows all about the value of good prep. He was the only player in the 2018 US Ryder Cup team to get an early look at Le Golf National by coming over to contest the Open de France.
Whether the US raiders are a good bet to win in Scotland remains to be seen. But the very fact they're in the field could just give them a vital edge for Royal St George's.
Here's what Schauffele and Morikawa said when speaking to reporters pre-tournament:
Xander Schauffele
Previous Scottish Open form: None
Previous Open form: T20 Royal Birkdale, T2 Carnoustie, T41 Royal Portrush
On playing in Scotland
On why he chose to play the event
On expectations for this week and next
On the Renaissance Club course
On his second place at Carnoustie in 2018 and why he did well
Collin Morikawa
Previous Scottish Open form: None
Previous Open form: None