4 Potential PGA TOUR Golf Sleeper Picks: 2023 Genesis Scottish Open
The Genesis Scottish Open begins Thursday, July 13 from North Berwick, Scotland. Top PGA TOUR names in the tournament like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy create opportunities to capitalize on golf sleepers in DFS and beyond. John Haslbauer lays out his top longshot picks for Scottish Open odds below. Check back next week for a betting preview and picks for British Open odds.
It’s a refreshing change of pace week on the PGA TOUR, as we cross the pond to Scotland for the 2023 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.
True to links fashion, an uncertain weather forecast of rain and wind looms ahead. While it will be important to monitor the weather throughout the week, Driving Distance, long iron approach play, crafty short game, and three-putt avoidance on large and slow greens are all key characteristics needed to score.
So many top-heavy names in the field creates a perfect opportunity to capitalize on drastic odds and pricing drops for mid to low-tier players. And with so much randomness in store from the conditions of links golf, it’s a great opportunity to search for high upside value.
Below we’ll look at potential Genesis Scottish Open picks and dig in deep as we look for PGA TOUR sleepers in this week’s golf odds. Click on the odds to bet now.
GOLF BETTING BONUS CODES
If you are new to golf betting or do not have an account at one of the options below, consider locking in one of the best sportsbook promo codes from our partners in your state. For many, if your first bet loses, you will receive it back in bonus bets.
COURSE INTRODUCTION
Tom Doak designed The Renaissance Club – a modern Scottish links course established in 2008 – who is most known for his nuances on and around the greens. In true links fashion, the course features firm and fast fairways, fescue rough, pot bunkers, slow fescue greens, and predominantly large, wide fairways and greens which will encourage players to use the ground.
As a par-70 just over 7,200 yards, it may not seem like a bomber’s delight. However, the first four years of competition at this event began to spell a premium on distance over accuracy.
The exposure to coastal winds creates a new challenge compared to the usual week-to-week set ups of the PGA Tour. As a result, we’ll see a higher dosage of knock down shots and “Texas wedges.” Naturally, with this event hosted on the northern coast of Scotland, the weather conditions will be unpredictable that ultimately dictate the scoring conditions. As such, we’ve seen the winning score range from -7 to -22 over its first four years.
Birdie-makers with plus distance and proven prior results on European links courses is the player archetype I’m seeking out this week. For a deeper dive into the course, read my Genesis Scottish Open preview. Let’s get to our Genesis Scottish Open picks with a look at PGA TOUR longshots and sleepers for your golf DFS lineups.
- Join TheLines free golf betting Discord channel with more than 4,300 community members discussing sports betting 24-7-365.
POTENTIAL SLEEPER GENESIS SCOTTISH OPEN PICKS
From a golf betting perspective, I’ve opted to go with a tighter outright card, concentrating my exposure to a shorter list of favorites. The Renaissance Club offers a complete test of the field’s all-around skillsets and, with a field this top-heavy, I find it unlikely that one of the 75 full-time DP World Tour members closes the door here.
From a DFS perspective, however, I see plenty more potential for the Europeans. They are more familiar with Links golf and may play well and contend. On DraftKings, there is no shortage of in-form options from the DP World Tour who are playing close to home in familiar conditions. That creates some appealing buy-low value on high variance players who still present top-20 or top-40 upside.
Below is a look at my favorite value leverage plays and longshots for the 2023 Genesis Scottish Open! Stats pulled across Last 36 Rounds unless otherwise noted.
Adrian Meronk (, $7,300)
The consensus best European DP World Tour member this year is Adrian Meronk, and even he is being disrespected with his price at just $7,300 on DraftKings. With two wins already this season on the DP World Tour (Australian Open, Italian Open), Meronk has all but punched his ticket to Rome this September with the European Ryder Cup team. Still, he’ll feel motivated to leave no doubt he belongs on the team with a strong close to his season.
Meronk remains on the right track to do so, as he’s finished top-20 in each of his last six DP World Tour starts. Top-5 in Driving Distance, Meronk has gained 1+ stroke off the tee in seven consecutive starts leading in to this week. His combination of elite distance, consistent ball striking, and spike putting upside make for a high floor and ceiling at this price.
Victor Perez (, $7,100)
A proven Links specialist with some work left to do to play himself into consideration for the European Ryder Cup team, the stage is set for Victor Perez to have a big week in North Berwick. A winner of the 2019 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the Frenchman moved to Scotland shortly before his maiden victory due in part to his affinity for links golf. That makes this a home game by proxy for Perez, and he’ll have the best odds of any Scottish (or Scottish-adjacent) player to contend at the Scottish Open.
Perez picked up a win this year at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and has maintained steady form thereafter with a total of eight top-30 finishes over 12 starts this season. A T12 at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill is only further justification that his A-game is up to par with the best in the world.
Perez made it through the cut in all three prior Scottish Open appearances, highlighted by a T14 in 2020. A bit of a risky play, Perez’s upside is as high as any other full-time DP World Tour player in this week’s field.
Romaine Langasque (, $6,900)
The only longshot I felt compelled to include on my outright card, Romain Langasque (please don’t ask me to try to pronounce it) fits all the characteristics I’m looking for in a contender at the Scottish Open.
He showed his affinity for The Renaissance Club in 2019 where he finished T3, just one stroke short of a playoff. More recently, he’s displayed top form on the DP World Tour, finishing top-25 in seven of his last 10 starts. Like Meronk, Langasque profiles as a bomber and also ranks top-5 in Driving Distance on the DP World Tour. Unlike traditional, more unpredictable links courses, The Renaissance Club is more forgiving off the tee.
His irons have been less consistent this season – Langasque could sensibly be this year’s version of Kurt Kitayama, whose driving distance and spike putting carried him to a runner-up finish in 2022. A T8 finisher in his latest start at the British Masters, we may be in for another French Renaissance at the Renaissance Club if that form continues.
Callum Tarren (, $6,500)
Callum Tarren was the flavor of the week at the John Deere Classic last week, but left a sour taste in the mouths of many after a disappointing missed cut. While I was one of the many disgruntled Tarren backers in DFS, I’m comfortable going right back to the Englishman as he returns closer to home with a couple extra days of practice at his disposal.
The Renaissance Club is a better fit for Tarren’s game, with more generous areas to miss off the tee that have favored the longest hitters in the field over its first four years as host to the Scottish Open. Tarren ranks top-30 among PGA TOUR players in terms of Driving Distance. He is also one of just eight players in this field to rank top-40 in SG: T2G (L24 rounds), Comp Course History, and Driving Distance. Of that list, Tarren is the only player available under $8,100 on DraftKings, which creates significant value for this price. He’s on my radar as a bounce back top-40 bet and will return to my DFS lineups again for better or worse.
Best of luck with your 2023 Genesis Scottish Open longshot bets and DFS plays!
Scottish open ODDS
Shop the odds at the best sports betting sites for PGA TOUR golf sleepers and more highly-touted players here, including for top 10, top 20, etc.
RELATED ARTICLES
