Genesis Scottish Open Winners: The 5 Greatest ever Champions

The Genesis Scottish Open is one of the highlights of the European Tour, and some golfers have left a permanent mark on the competition. Here, we take a look at the 5 greatest-ever Scottish Open champions.

The Genesis Scottish Open is an annual golf tournament held in Scotland, which attracts some of the biggest names in the game. The prestigious event has been held every year since 1972 and has seen some incredible golfing moments over the years.

The tournament is a part of the European Tour, and it's usually held in July, just a week before the Open Championship. It has been played at the Renaissance Club for the last five years and was held there in 2024.

One of the things that makes the Genesis Scottish Open stand out is the quality of the field it attracts. Some of the best golfers in the world compete in the tournament each year, making it a highly anticipated event for golf fans around the globe.

As with many top golf tournaments, the Scottish Open has seen its fair share of dramatic moments and exciting finishes over the years. From the legendary Colin Montgomerie's win in the late 90s to Ian Woosnam’s incredible 7-stroke win in 1987, the tournament has seen some amazing championship wins.

Keep reading to find out the top 5 greatest ever Scottish Open champions, and how you can secure VIP tickets to the 2025 event.

Graham Marsh

Graham Marsh's 1973 Scottish Open win was a defining moment in his career. Marsh, an Australian professional golfer, came into the tournament as a relative unknown, but he left as a champion after an impressive victory.

The tournament was held at the Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland, and Marsh quickly made his presence felt with a respectable opening round of 72. He followed that up with consistent play over the next three days, shooting 69, 68, and 77, respectively to take home the title with an overall score of 286.

The Aussie's closest competitor was Peter Oosterhuis, a well-known English golfer, but Marsh was able to hold him off down the stretch to secure an impressive 6-stroke win. The victory was a significant accomplishment for the golfing ace, as it completed his hat trick of major wins on the European Tour in only his fourth year as a professional.

Overall, Graham Marsh's 1973 Scottish Open win was one of the most dominant performances of his career and is a moment that he and his fans will always remember fondly as a key highlight in his career.

Ian Woosnam

Ian Woosnam is another player who has had a lot of success in the Genesis Scottish Open. He won the tournament a record three times in his career, in 1987, 1990, and 1996.

Woosnam is a former world number one and has won many other prestigious tournaments throughout his career, including one Masters championship and 27 European Tour titles.

He won his first title with a dominant performance in 1987 that saw him secure victory with a 7-stroke lead over his closest rival Peter Senior at Gleneagles Kings Course in Perthshire, Scotland.

His second win was a slightly closer affair, with Woosnam leading Mark McNutty by 4 strokes to take home the trophy. Woosnam’s third and record-equalling victory was also a 4-stroke deficit, with the legendary Welshman scoring 289 and runner-up Andrew Coltart finishing on 293.

Woosnam's success in the Genesis Scottish Open can be attributed to his accurate driving and excellent short game. He played with great control and was able to read the greens well, which is essential on the challenging links courses in Scotland.

Ernie Els

Ernie Els is a South African golfer who has had a lot of success in the Genesis Scottish Open. He won the tournament twice in his career, in 2000 and 2003. Els is another former world number one and has won four major championships in his career.

He first claimed victory in 2000, shooting a final-round 68 to win by a single stroke over American Tom Lehman. He then went on to win the tournament again in 2003, finishing 5 strokes ahead of a strong field that included runners-up Darren Clarke and Phillip Price.

Els' wins at the Scottish Open were impressive feats, given the strong competition and the difficult links courses on which the tournament is played. They stand as further proof of Els' skill and success as one of golf's top players.

Els' success in the Genesis Scottish Open can be attributed to his excellent ball striking and his ability to hit the ball long distances. He played with confidence and was able to overpower the links courses with his distance and accuracy.

Lee Westwood

English golfer Lee Westwood has won over 40 tournaments in his career, including 25 on the European Tour. He turned professional in 1993 and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the tour.

Westwood won the Scottish Open in 1998, which was one of the most significant victories of his career at that time.

The tournament was held at Loch Lomond Golf Club, and Westwood won by 4 strokes against a stacked field including the legendary triple champion Ian Woosnam and Eduardo Romero.

The win marked his fifth European Tour victory at the time. It was an impressive display of his skill and talent and further established him as one of the top players on the tour.

Westwood's success in the Genesis Scottish Open can be attributed to his excellent ball striking and his ability to hit the ball straight. He played with great control and was able to read the greens well, which is essential on the challenging links courses in Scotland.

Colin Montgomerie

Last on our list we have golfing icon Colin Montgomerie. The Scotsman is widely regarded as one of the greatest European golfers of all time. He turned professional in 1987 and went on to win numerous tournaments on the European Tour, including the Order of Merit a record eight times.

Montgomerie's 1999 Scottish Open win was a major highlight in his career as a professional golfer. The Scotsman, who had already established himself as a top player on the European Tour, won the tournament in spectacular fashion, finishing with a score of 16-under-par.

The Scottish Open is one of the most prestigious events on the European Tour, and winning it on home soil was particularly special for Montgomerie, who had grown up in Dunning, Scotland. His victory in 1999 marked his first and only victory at the event.

Montgomerie's win in the 1999 Scottish Open was a meaningful and significant moment in his career and one that cemented his status as one of the best in the world and a legend of the game.

Genesis Scottish Open 2024 Field List

The prestigious tournament featured the likes of Xander Schauffele, Tom Kim, Robert MacIntyre, Rob McIlroy, Ludvig Aberg, Matt Fizpatrick, Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Justin Rose, and Justin Thomas in 2024.

In a thrilling finish at the Renaissance Club, Scottish golfer Robert MacIntyre clinched the Scottish Open title with a remarkable 200-foot birdie putt to edge out Adam Scott. This victory marks the first time a home player has won the tournament since Colin Montgomerie's triumph in 1999.

How Can I Watch The Genesis Scottish Open Live?

If you are looking to attend the Genesis Scottish Open in 2025, why not take your experience to luxurious new levels, and opt to go for a premium experience package rather than a general admission ticket?

At Seat Unique, we provide you with access to official premium experience packages for a range of top-level tournaments on both the PGA Tour and the newly revamped DP World Tour, such as the BMW PGA Championship.

With a premium experience package to the Genesis Scottish Open, you will be treated to various luxuries that will aim to give you a day you won’t forget.

These can include VIP admission, access to exclusive hospitality areas, complimentary food and drinks, and entry to a premium viewing platform overlooking the 18th hole.*

*These benefits are not confirmed and are based on this year's inclusions.

Genesis Scottish Open VIP tickets are currently unavailable to purchase. Register your interest with Seat Unique to be among the first to find out when hospitality goes on sale.