Former Genesis Scottish Open champion Aaron Rai isn’t too concerned by the changes made to the course at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick.
While the eighth, ninth, 17th and 18th holes will remain the same, the rest of the course effectively will flip, with the first to seventh playing as the 10th to 16th, and 10th to 16th playing as first to seventh.
“There’s not been a huge amount of change to the golf course itself, an extra couple of bunkers, nothing huge in terms of design,” Rai told reporters on Tuesday.
“I think it’s likely to impact the flow of the course and how it feels. I think there will be pockets of holes — pockets of difficult holes that seem to be closer together and then pockets of holes that provide a little bit more opportunity. So I don’t know what the reason is behind the rerouting, but I’m presuming that’s part of it just to create that balance and flows within the course, some of which are very challenging and some of which give you a little more opportunity.
I think it can be a really good change.”
Rai, who won the tournament in 2020, arrives as a first-time major winner following his breakthrough triumph at the PGA Championship in May.
The 31-year-old Englishman followed that up with top-20 finishes at the Memorial (T19) and U.S. Open (T11) before tying for 30th at the Travelers Championship.
“It’s been great,” Rai said when asked to describe life as a major champion.
“It was really nice initially to have a couple of weeks away from tournaments just to try to sit with it a little bit more,” he said. “I then played four events back-to-back, which again was really good to try to get into some normal habits and routines around the game.
“And then last week was the first time I was back in the U.K., so great to see friends, family. Managed to go to Wimbledon over the weekend, which was amazing to experience. So yeah, a pretty busy few weeks since the PGA but yeah, very good overall.”
With The Open Championship looming on the horizon next week, Rai is excited to return to links-style golf.
“Such a different style to what we’re used to for the rest of the year (on the PGA Tour),” he said. “Personally, I really enjoy the variety, and that’s generally because of the conditions that we face in links golf, a lot of different ball flights, a lot of different shapes. So many options around the green.
“So I think it’s a real test of skill and creativity. Those are my biggest draws of links golf, this style of golf.”
