World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will miss the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open after a second-round 72 left him at even par, two strokes below the projected 2-under line. The result snaps a streak of 78 consecutive cuts made dating to August 2022 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship — a run 51 starts longer than the next closest player, Matt Fitzpatrick. It also marks Scheffler's first finish outside the top 25 since the 2024 BMW Championship.

Scheffler hit only 11 of 26 fairways and 23 of 36 greens across two rounds at The Renaissance Club, losing nearly two strokes on approach. "I got off to a poor start and didn't really hit it close enough to give myself a bunch of looks," he told reporters. The 30-year-old has not won since January's American Express, though he has nine top-10s and four runner-ups this season, including a playoff loss to Viktor Hovland at the Travelers Championship two weeks ago.

The early exit sends Scheffler to Royal Birkdale ahead of schedule to prepare for his Open Championship defense. He captured his fourth major at Royal Portrush in 2025 but has never played the Southport links. No player has won back-to-back Opens since Padraig Harrington in 2008-09.

The missed cut is a statistical anomaly for golf's most consistent performer, but the extra preparation time at an unfamiliar venue could benefit his title defense. Scheffler's ball-striking regression — particularly off the tee and on approach — bears watching at a course that typically demands precision over power.