PGA Tour: Genesis Scottish Open – Round 2 Recap
With The Open Championship just a week away, action continued to heat up at the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open Round 2— a co-sanctioned PGA and DP World Tour event — as the leaderboard saw major shifts during an eventful second round at The Renaissance Club.
Gotterup’s 61 Ignites the Field
Chris Gotterup stole the spotlight on Friday with a blistering 9-under-par 61, the lowest round of the day, surging to the outright lead at -11. Gotterup fired six birdies on his front nine and added three more on the back, keeping a bogey-free card in a round that showcased complete control and composure.
This performance marked the highlight of the Genesis Scottish Open Round 2, as Gotterup’s 61 catapulted him to the top in a field full of international stars.
Big Movers on Moving Day
Matt Fitzpatrick also enjoyed the friendly conditions, carding a 7-under 63 to leap 46 places into a tie for third. His round featured seven birdies and no bogeys — a statement of intent heading into the weekend.
Another standout performance came from Andrew Novak, who nearly aced the short par-4 5th hole, tapping in for eagle from just 12 inches. He too posted a 63, gaining a staggering 93 spots to sit at T20, a massive comeback after his opening round 74 (+2).
🇬🇧 British Charge Continues
England’s Harry Hall sits in solo second at -9 after back-to-back rounds of 67 and 64. Fellow countryman Marco Penge, ranked 170th in the world, continued his impressive form from Round 1 with a solid -3 (67). A lone bogey on the 12th interrupted an otherwise steady round. He’s now tied at T2, just three shots behind Gotterup.
Italy’s Francesco Laporta made a huge move as well, firing a 64 to reach -5, climbing 74 positions to break into the Top 20.
Mixed Fortunes for First-Round Leaders
Day 1 co-leaders had contrasting outcomes:
- Victor Perez followed up with an even-par 70, keeping him at -6.
- Jake Knapp and Sepp Straka both carded 69s, reaching -7, and remain within striking distance.
- Colombia’s Nico Echavarría slid down the board after a +2 (72), falling to T27.
Big Names Hovering in Contention
A tight group at -7 (T6) includes:
- Matti Schmid (GER)
- Nick Taylor (CAN)
- Keith Mitchell (USA)
- Rory McIlroy (NIR)
McIlroy was particularly impressive with a near-flawless 65, marred only by a bogey on the 8th. It could easily have been a 64.
Scottie Scheffler had a rollercoaster round — three bogeys in four holes mid-round before rallying with a strong finish for a -2 (68). He sits at -5, keeping his weekend hopes alive.
Cut Day Casualties
The cut fell at -1, and some big names were left packing:
- Luke Donald, Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
- J.J. Spaun, the reigning U.S. Open champion
- Aldrich Potgieter, recent PGA Tour winner
- Collin Morikawa, who collapsed with a disastrous +6 (76) in Round 2
Morikawa’s second round undid all the momentum from his first, ending his chances in stunning fashion. Here is the link to the leaderboard.
Looking Ahead
The Genesis Scottish Open Round 2 delivered everything fans hoped for — low scores, leaderboard drama, and big names making moves. As the tournament heads into the weekend, the stage is set for a thrilling finish. With only four shots separating the top 15 players, Saturday promises major movement as the pressure builds at The Renaissance Club.
