Venue: Trump International Golf Links (Old Course), Aberdeenshire (near Balmedie, north of Aberdeen), Scotland.
Dates: Thursday, August 20 – Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Course setup: Par 72, approximately 7,428–7,439 yards. Designed by Martin Hawtree and opened in 2012, this modern links winds through dramatic coastal dunes along the North Sea. Features include fescue-lined fairways that narrow in landing zones, strategic bunkering, thick rough/marram grass off the short grass, elevated and undulating greens, and scoring opportunities on the par-5s (including bookend openers) and a driveable par-4. It is a demanding test that rewards accuracy and course management, especially in wind; only nine players finished under par in the 2025 edition.
Starting times (local BST): Round 1 tee times begin around 7:00 a.m. from both the 1st and 10th tees (split tee start), with groups of three. Notable early groups include defending champion Grant Forrest paired with Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed and Yanhan Zhou (around 7:11 a.m. from the 10th). Later waves start around midday. Gates open earlier (approx. 6:30 a.m. Thursday/Friday). Celebrity Pro-Am was held Wednesday, August 19. No major cut drama expected beyond the standard 36-hole cut; the event awards key Race to Dubai points as the final Closing Swing tournament. Purse: $3 million.
Weather conditions
Cool, changeable coastal weather typical of northeast Scotland in late August. Thursday (Aug. 20): Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain/drizzle (30–50% chance), highs around 14–15°C (57–59°F), lows ~10–11°C, northerly/northwesterly winds 12–15 mph (gusts higher). Friday: Similar overcast/cloudy with possible light rain, highs ~13–14°C, breezy. Saturday: Improving to partly cloudy, highs ~15–16°C (up to 18°C possible), lighter winds. Sunday: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny, highs around 16°C, lighter winds. Overall mild-to-chilly with a nagging breeze that will influence play on the exposed links; waterproofs and layers recommended.
Course conditions: Expected to present a firm, classic links challenge. The dunes and coastal exposure mean wind will be a major factor. Fairways and greens are typically well-maintained to high championship standards. Thick rough penalizes wayward shots, while the strategic bunkering and undulating greens demand precise iron play and good scrambling. Last year’s winning score of 8-under reflected a tough test; similar or slightly firmer conditions are anticipated barring heavy rain. Players who control trajectory and manage the wind effectively should excel.
Player matchups / key storylines:
Patrick Reed (Race to Dubai leader) is the clear headline act and tournament favorite. The 2018 Masters champion has two DP World Tour wins this season (Hero Dubai Desert Classic and Qatar Masters) and leads the standings. He is playing a strong run of events and is paired early with defending champion Grant Forrest.
Grant Forrest (defending champion, Scotland) returns on home soil after his four-shot victory in 2025 (–8, course-record 66 in Round 2). He has struggled for consistency since (limited top-10s), but home knowledge and the venue suit him.
Strong contenders include Eugenio Chacarra and Casey Jarvis (both with two wins this season and high in the Race to Dubai), Jacob Skov Olesen, Ewen Ferguson (multiple DP World Tour winner and home favorite), Keita Nakajima, Todd Clements, Joe Dean (runner-up last year), and locals such as David Law and Connor Syme. The field of ~120 includes a solid mix of Race to Dubai contenders, Scottish players, and rising talents. Closing Swing rankings implications add extra motivation for several players.
Tournament history: Relatively new in its current form. Previously staged as the Scottish Championship (Adrian Otaegui won the 2020 edition at Fairmont St Andrews, –23). Rebranded as the Nexo Championship in 2025 when it moved to Trump International, where Grant Forrest claimed a four-shot win over Joe Dean at –8 (only nine players under par). It serves as the concluding event of the DP World Tour’s Closing Swing and awards significant Race to Dubai points. The venue has quickly established itself as a high-quality modern links test.
Recent player forms:
Reed: Consistent high finishes and two wins early in 2026; solid recent results including a T13 at the Genesis Scottish Open. Leading the Race to Dubai and in strong contention mode.
Forrest: 2025 winner here but form has been patchy in 2026 (one notable top-10 amid missed cuts); refreshed after a break and motivated by home defense.
Others in form: Jarvis and Chacarra (multiple wins), Olesen (strong recent showings and third here last year), Clements and Dean (good course history/form), Ferguson (home specialist). Several players are chasing Closing Swing glory or Race to Dubai positioning.
Betting trends
Patrick Reed is the clear favorite at around 10/1. Next tier includes Casey Jarvis and Eugenio Chacarra (~15/1), Jacob Skov Olesen (~16/1), Ewen Ferguson (~21/1), and Keita Nakajima (~22/1). Longer prices feature Todd Clements, Joe Dean, Martin Couvra, and others in the 30/1–75/1+ range. Analysts and tipsters highlight Reed for the outright, with each-way interest in home players (Forrest, Ferguson), course-history performers (Dean, Clements), and in-form contenders like Jarvis. The windy links setup favors experienced ball-strikers and those comfortable in Scottish conditions. Value often sought in the 30/1–50/1 range for place markets.
Overall outlook
Reed enters as the man to beat as he aims to extend his Race to Dubai lead on a demanding coastal links. Forrest will have strong local support in his title defense, while the Closing Swing conclusion adds urgency for several contenders. Expect a wind-influenced, low-scoring-but-tough test where accuracy and patience prevail. Coverage is available via Sky Sports Golf (and regional partners), with global feeds typically running afternoon local time. Conditions and odds may shift with final weather updates or late field changes.
