The tagline used by the Genesis Scottish Open, as Scotland gets set to welcome the world’s elite for this year’s competition at the Renaissance Club on the east coast, followed by the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon, on the west coast.
The best golfers from the PGA Tour & DP World Tour once again make up a world-class field in North Berwick, but aside from defending Champion Rory McIlroy, World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and Bob MacIntyre – Scotland’s latest PGA Tour winner – another familiar face [to every golf fan] that will be gracing the fairways at both events is none other than, Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley.
As part of Sky Sports coverage, ‘Radar’ brings you as close to the action as you’ll get at home, following the featured groups as they plot their way around the links as Sky’s biggest name on-course commentator.
An official Shot Scope Ambassador, ‘Radar’ has been up close and personal with the best players in the world, since retiring from the professional game, some 20 odd years ago.
‘Radar’ with our X5 GPS watch on the course | Image Shot Scope
Scottish Open Champion
Riley recalls that two of his special victories on tour were the Australian Open in 1991 at Royal Melbourne and the Scottish Open in 1995 at Carnoustie.
He held off 3-time Masters Champion and 6-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo, Scotland’s own Colin Montgomerie and a young Tiger Woods, who was still an amateur at that time.
Many argue that had ‘Radar’ taken that same game to St. Andrews the following week he would have been crowned Open Champion.
With opening rounds of 66 and 69, Riley was tied for the lead with Montgomerie, before storming five shots clear of Faldo with a successive 69. Faldo himself shot 69 on the last day to apply some pressure, but Riley held on and signed for a par 72 to take the the title.
In an interview for The Scotsman in 2018 he said:
“I am very proud of those titles, but not as proud as where I won them. You can win tournaments at iffy venues and I think it sticks with you more when you win at iconic venues.
That was the best I’ve ever played. I went head-to-head with Monty on the Friday, and it was a Saturday finish back then. I put him away to sit five shots in front of Faldo. When he upped it in the final round, I was able to up it. I was at the top of my game. That is the best I have ever played.”
Radar also touched upon the fact he still loves to reminisce about his Carnoustie win when he returns to the town.
“For me winning the Scottish Open was about as good as it gets without winning a Major, and I walk around Carnoustie these days, when I’m working at the Dunhill Links Championship thinking about that win.
It’s not set up nearly as severe and punishing as it was back then, but I remember where I hit it.
I still walk around there with fond memories and it’s nice that locals still come up and say, ‘We were there when you won’. That’s a very nice thing.”
On The Course With Radar
Do you want to save shots on your next round of golf? By using Shot Scope and your own performance data, find areas to improve your game.
We have worked with Wayne to provide insights, statistics and tendencies as to why you should trust Shot Scope data to lower your scores.
‘Radar’ tees it up with the Shot Scope G5 | Image Shot Scope
In our Play Smarter series, you’ll find videos and detailed explanations around game improvement from the tee and approach shots to the green.
Did you know that 84% of missed putts over five feet finish short?
Or, that your typical drive is nearly 30 yards shorter than your Sunday best drive? These are just two intriguing statistics thrown up by Shot Scope’s performance tracking data platform.
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