Scottish Open Power Rankings: Top 10 golfers at Gullane GC

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 10: Ian Poulter of England and caddie Terry Mundy wait on the fairway of the sixth hole during the second round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club on July 10, 2015 in Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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LONDONDERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 07: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits his second shot on the 14th hole during day two of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on July 7, 2017 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /

Will this be the week Matsuyama puts four rounds together? The former world No. 2 is on the cusp of getting back to the type of golf we expect with so much talent.

He’s got four top-20s in his last six starts and was the first round leader at the Memorial. Two of the top-20s were at the majors and he also has a T4 at the season-opening Tournament of Champions.

On the links, Matsuyama posted dueling T14s at the Irish Open and Open Championship last year. He has four top-40s at the Open in five starts.

This will be Matsuyama’s Scottish Open debut.

On the PGA Tour this year, Matsuyama is a useful seventh in strokes gained around the green up from 24th last season. Also improving is his SG putting, 193rd to 86th.

He’s dipped slightly tee to green, but the consensus is his ball striking is his biggest asset. The fact that he’s becoming a more well-rounded player is encouraging, at least in a sample size of 11 events.

If Matsuyama can pound more greens and get up-and-down when needed, he could finally get into the thick of things on Sunday.

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