REIGNING champion Rory McIlroy will return to The Renaissance Club this summer to defend his Genesis Scottish Open title.

The four-time Major winner produced a brilliant birdie-birdie finish on a thrilling final day last year to edge out home favourite Robert MacIntyre by one stroke.

McIlroy topped a stellar field, which included eight of the top 10 players in the world, to win the tournament for the first time in his storied career.

Now, he will look to defend his title at the competition, which takes place from July 11-14 – four days before the 152nd Open tees off at Royal Troon.

READ MORE: Scottish Open: Rory McIlroy crowned champion after last hole birdie

The world number two said: “It was special to win the Genesis Scottish Open for the first time last season.

“Winning a national open is always notable, and to do it in the home of golf, with such great support from the Scottish fans, made it a memorable week.”

It was a second consecutive Rolex Series win for the Northern Irishman, following his earlier victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, and he started this season in the same vein by successfully defending his title in Dubai last month.

The win in East Lothian last July also saw McIlroy notch up another bit of history, as he became the first player to triumph in the national opens of both Scotland and Ireland as well as The Open.

He went on to top the season-long Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex for the fifth time and second consecutive season.

 

 

This summer's tournament will mark the seventh consecutive year that it has been contested in East Lothian.

The Renaissance Club has held the competition each year since 2019 – with a play-off needed to decide the winner in three of the five events.

Gullane hosted the competition in both 2015 and 2018.

The Genesis Scottish Open is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR, counting on both the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and the FedExCup.

The Genesis Scottish Open benefits from the continued commitment of the Scottish Government, managed by VisitScotland, and retains its place in golf’s global calendar the week ahead of The Open as part of these agreements through to 2025.

A range of ticket options for the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open, including daily general admission tickets, season tickets, Ticket+ and Green on 18 premium hospitality packages, are available to purchase at etg.golf/GSO24Tickets