The eyes of the golf world were equally focused on Scotland, Kentucky, and Ohio. The prestigious Scottish Open took place at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, while the Barbasol Championship held court at Keene Trace, just south of Lexington. The second of three consecutive, major titles on the Tour Champions settled matters at Firestone Country Club, in Akron. It’s a fine time to be a golf fan, with more links golf on the horizon. Buckle in and enjoy our recap of July Week Two of 2022.

Cue Tour Rundown.

DP World Tour/PGA Tour sees Schauffele return full to form

Even though Xander Schauffele made a lipstick on a pig reference to his final-round performance at the Scottish Open, it was skilled enough to win a second consecutive tour event, and situate him as a threat this week at St. Andrews. Schauffele found himself 11 shots back of the leader after round one but, as golf aficionados know, one round does not a tournament make. As Cameron Tringale left the 60s for good on Friday (following the magic with 72-74-70 for a 6th place tie) the 2020 Olympic gold medalist moved up the leaders board with middle scores of 65 and 66. The question on Sunday’s morn was, could Schauffele preserve his position?

What made it all more demanding was the blow-up of his Sunday partner, Rafael Cabrera Bello. RBC had won the Scottish Open before, but the way he played on day four was nothing like that performance. The Spaniard had two birdies on the day, but those were erased by a double at the 12th, and seven bogeys on the card. The Iberian hopeful tumbled from 2nd to a tie for 36th, and lost a chance at earning a spot this week in the Open Championship.

The primary challenge to Xander’s run came from American expat Kurt Kitayama. Kitayama plays the majority of his schedule overseas, and he solved the East Lothian course as few others did on the final day. A 71st-hole bogey kept Kitayama from reaching seven-under par, which proved to be the winning number. Coupled with Schauffele’s birdie at the 70th hole, Xander had the luxury of playing the last hole in five strokes for the win. Kitayama, Jamie Donaldson, and Brandon Wu all qualifed into the 150th Open Championship with their finishes at Renaissance.

.@XSchauffele tracers from his final and winning round ?#GenesisScottishOpen | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/Fcg8Toq1sY

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 11, 2022

PGA Tour: Barbasol victory earns Mullinax a trip to Fife

Trey Mullinax was a part of the fabled UAlabama teams of the 2010s. He earned a pair of wins on the Korn Ferry Tour, prior to ascending to the big time. On Sunday in Kentucky, Mullinax took a giant career step by holding off Kevin Streelman, to earn an elusive and first PGA Tour title. The win secured playing privileges for two years, and compelled the Birmingham native to rearrange plans for this week. He’ll join former teammate Justin Thomas at St. Andrews for the Open championship. This will be his first appearance in the oldest major, and his third overall.

Mullinax left the mid 60s for a minute on Saturday, posting 67 after opening with twin 65s. On Sunday, he returned to that zip code with 66, including a marvelous birdie at the last, from 15 feet. Runner-up Streelman was equally electric on the inward half, posting four birdies. Unfortunately for the DukeU alum, he had a pair of bogeys coming home, that sealed his second-place status.

What. A. Putt.@HTMullinax wins @BarbasolChamp and books a trip to @TheOpen in emphatic fashion ? pic.twitter.com/EVO9TGlmb0

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 10, 2022

PGA Tour Champions: Kelly takes ownership of Senior Players

Jerry Kelly nearly pulled a Young Tom Morris move, and retired the belt, errr, trophy awarded to the Senior Players champion. Kelly won the event in 2020 for his first senior major, then came agonizingly close to defending in 2021. His runner-up finish was followed by a return to the winner’s podium, giving him two wins in three years at the event.

When Kelly is in contention, fellow Wisconsonian Steve Stricker is rarely distant. Such was the case again at Firestone on Sunday. Stricker reached nine-under par at the penultimate hole, and had a run at birdie at the last. The putt did not drop, and that allowed Kelly the luxury of a two-putt for bogey from ten feet. The former hockey goalie just needed one putt, and his 11-under total gave him a two-shot win over his statemate.

Tied for 3rd at eight-deep were Ernie Els and the explosive Steven Alker. Alker looked as good as anyone to make a run at Kelly, but he could never get off the birdie-bogey two-step. A bogey at the last dropped him into a tie with Els, who finished with 68.

Second @BridgestoneSP title in three years. ?

Take a bow, @jerrykelly13pga! pic.twitter.com/2mA9Tiu7jL

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) July 10, 2022