Scottish Open: Americans above and below the cut line confess confusion

Above and below the Scottish Open cut line, Americans in the field struggle with cultural competence when they’re in Scotland. The players explain.

The Scottish Open is always filled with great cultural fun as well as great golf and as the Americans in the field make their way through the second round some of them are having a good deal more cultural fun than delivering standout golf.

To be brutally honest, not all the Americans in the Scottish Open field are what might be described as culturally competent when it comes to Scotland, at least not when it comes to off-course knowledge about the Open’s host country.

Up and down the leaderboard, American players are puzzling out certain cultural nuances. Let them explain:

With the cut line projected to be even par this is how things are looking for the Americans. Matt Kuchar is safely in the house at 6-under par. Rickie Fowler and Stewart Cink are coming down the back nine. They’re at 5-under and 3-under respectively. Barring disaster both will play the weekend.

More from Pro Golf Now

• Golf Rumors: LIV set to sign Masters Champion in stunning deal
• Fantasy Golf: Grant Thornton Invitational DFS Player Selections
• Brutal return leaves Will Zalatoris looking towards 2024
• Stars You Know at World Champions Cup Starts Thursday at Concession
• Fantasy Golf: An Early Look at the 2024 Masters Tournament

Paul Peterson carded an absolutely disastrous second round, a 4-over 76, but his first round 67 has put him in the house at 1-under so unless the cut line shifts he’ll play the weekend.

Patrick Reed is in the house at even par so unless the cut line shifts he’ll play as well, although his hopes for victory have dimmed. He’ll face moving day trailing clubhouse leader Padraig Harrington by 9 shots.

At 3-over and in the house, Daniel Im’s Scottish Open is finished this year. Peter Uihlein – who is probably more culturally competent than the PGA TOUR Americans in the field – and David Lipsky will also be sitting out the weekend. Alex Noren will be keeping them company on the sidelines.

There’s still a slender thread of hope for Rory McIlroy, who is probably more culturally competent than any of the Americans in the field. If can find a birdie or two on the back nine McIlroy may be able to salvage his Scottish Open.

Next: Scottish Open power rankings

How are your picks doing? Follow the Americans on the European Tour’s electronic leaderboard and let’s look forward to moving day.