WORLD number one and Masters Tournament champion Scottie Scheffler will lead the field at the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.

Scheffler confirmed his status as the hottest player in golf with a three-shot victory over Rory McIlroy at Augusta National last month, continuing a remarkable run of form that produced four titles in just six starts.

The 25-year-old rose to the top of the world rankings following victory in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in March and went on to become the first player to claim the Green Jacket in his first start as world number one since Ian Woosnam achieved the same feat in 1991.

Scheffler made his debut in Scotland’s national open last season, finishing in a tie for 12th in his first regular DP World Tour event.

Now, he is looking forward to returning to East Lothian from July 7-10 in the week before the 150th Open at St Andrews.

He said: “I enjoyed the week at the Scottish Open last year and I’m looking forward to getting back to the Renaissance Club in July for the start of an exciting two weeks in Scotland.

“I had heard a lot about the event and the Rolex Series before I played for the first time, and it lived up to it.

“A lot has happened for me since then, and I’m hoping to keep that good feeling going over the summer.

“Last year was my first trip to Scotland and I can’t wait to play in front of the Scottish fans again, and hopefully see a bit more of this beautiful country.”

Since teeing it up on Scotland’s Golf Coast last season, Scheffler has gone on to make a memorable Ryder Cup debut in the United States’ victory at Whistling Straits in September – defeating then world number one Jon Rahm in the Sunday singles.

Scheffler joins a stellar Genesis Scottish Open field that includes fellow Major winners Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, leading Scot Robert MacIntyre, seven-time DP World Tour winner Matt Fitzpatrick and defending champion Min Woo Lee, who secured his first Rolex Series win at Renaissance Club last season.