FORMER Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama and four-time Rolex Series winner Tyrrell Hatton have joined the star-studded field for next month’s Scottish Open.

Four of the top five players in the world have already confirmed they will play the tournament at The Renaissance Club from July 7-10.

World number one Scottie Scheffler – reigning Masters champion; world number two Jon Rahm – US Open champion; world number four Collin Morikawa – The Open winner; and number five Justin Thomas – US PGA champion – have already confirmed they will be competing at Scotland’s national open which is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR for the first time this season as part of a historic Strategic Alliance.

Matsuyama made history last year when he became the first male Japanese Major Champion by winning the Masters Tournament – 10 years after finishing as low amateur on his debut at Augusta National.

East Lothian Courier: Japan's Hideki Matsuyama tees off the 5th during day one of The Open Championship 2019 at Royal Portrush Golf Club..Japan's Hideki Matsuyama tees off the 5th during day one of The Open Championship 2019 at Royal Portrush Golf Club..

The 30-year-old, who is the most successful Japanese PGA TOUR member in history, has 17 worldwide wins, most recently at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, and includes two World Golf Championships.

After one previous Scottish Open appearance in 2018, Matsuyama will tee it up at The Renaissance Club for the first time next month.

He said: “It’s exciting to be playing in this historic event for the first time in four years and making my debut at the Renaissance Club.

“I know that the Genesis Scottish Open has a special spot in the schedule in the week before The Open, and I’m looking forward to the summer in Scotland.”

Six-time DP World Tour winner Hatton will make his eighth appearance at the Genesis Scottish Open, with his best previous finish coming in 2016 when he finished as runner-up to future Ryder Cup team-mate Alex Noren at Castle Stuart Golf Links.

East Lothian Courier: Tyrrell Hatton, of England, kisses the championship trophy after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament, and will be hoping for similar celebrations next month at The Renaissance Club (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack).Tyrrell Hatton, of England, kisses the championship trophy after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament, and will be hoping for similar celebrations next month at The Renaissance Club (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack).

The 30-year-old Englishman – who claimed his fourth Rolex Series title at the 2021 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship – has previously enjoyed success in Scotland, securing back-to-back Alfred Dunhill Links Championship titles in 2016 and 2017.

Hatton said: “I always enjoy playing in the Genesis Scottish Open and would love to go one better than my 2016 result and win a fifth Rolex Series title in July.

“It’s shaping up to be an exciting two weeks in a row in Scotland with The Open taking place at the Old Course at St Andrews – where I’ve had success in the past – the following week.”

The Genesis Scottish Open is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR, counting on both the DP World Tour Rankings and the FedExCup, and boasts a new title sponsor in Genesis, the luxury automotive brand from South Korea.

The tournament 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 150th Open (July 11-17), as part of these agreements through to 2025. The player field will be a split between members of both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR.

For more information, go to et.golf/GSO2022Tickets