Tour pro shares conspiracy theory about 'top players' at Scottish Open

Tour pro Eddie Pepperell revealed his conspiracy theory about the Scottish Open after tournament organisers brought forward the final round tee times.

Ben Smith

16 Jul 2023

Tour pro shares conspiracy theory about 'top players' at Scottish Open

Eddie Pepperell has a conspiracy theory about the Scottish Open.

The tour pro took to social media after it was announced the final round tee times of the co-sanctioned DP World Tour, PGA Tour event would be pushed forward due to 'forecasted high winds'.

After the decision was announced, the reaction was almost overwhelmingly negative. One wrote: "Y'all know you're in Scotland, right?!"

"Old Tom Morris will be rolling in his grave," another said.

Some on social media suggested the tournament sponsor, Genesis, were absolutely desperate to see Rory McIlroy win.

Pepperell thinks otherwise. "Here's my conspiracy, and you know I like conspiracies," he wrote, adding:

"They don't want to put the top players through 'too much' the week before the big one. (Today's decision was a weird one looking at forecast) (Ps, don't @ me people, it's just a hunch)"

Pepperell continued:

"Having said that, forecast looks very windy early doors tomorrow anyway, so for those like me who like to see carnage it'll still be the case. I'm just annoyed I won't see it as I'm flying on holiday tomorrow morning to drown my sorrows."

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Another suggested to Pepperell that if playing golf on a windy day is too much then the elite pros should consider an alternative living.

Of which Pepperell responded:

"I agree… However, if players think that playing in 40 mph gusts is going to affect their performance next week (quite a reasonable assertion), then they’re less likely to consider playing this event next year. So the (DPWT especially) Tours have to consider that."

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Here’s my conspiracy, and you know I like conspiracies;
They don’t want to put the top players through ‘too much’ the week before the big one. (Today’s decision was a weird one looking at forecast)
(Ps, don’t @ me people, it’s just a hunch)
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) July 15, 2023

Pepperell did play in this year's Scottish Open but missed the cut after posting rounds of 73 and 69.

He won't be watching the final round as he's going on holiday to 'drown his sorrows', he wrote.

Which is a shame because he really did appear to enjoy the coverage, especially the commentary from Dame Laura Davies on Sky Sports:

Some cracking commentary there from Dame Laura;
“Ooo Max Homa has just nailed some young lady. She seems ok. Took it well”.
(He caught a flyer, FYI)
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) July 15, 2023