The final major of the season, the 153rd Open Championship, takes place from July 17 to 20. This year, the event returns to Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland – one of the most iconic venues in Open history.
This edition is only the third time the Open has been to Portrush. It was first in 1951 and then again in 2019 when Shane Lowry sealed a fairytale victory. Now, six years on, the R&A are bringing the Claret Jug back to the cliffs and dunes of the Antrim coast, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Links is a rugged beauty and a fierce test of golf. The course was renovated before 2019 by architect Martin Ebert. It now stretches to 7,300 yards as a par-71 with new holes and the famous “Calamity Corner” – a par-3 that can destroy even the most confident scorecards.
Big Crowds and a Global Stage
The tournament will attract an estimated 278,000 fans, bigger than St Andrews. Tickets sold out in record time, and the Championship Village will be full of interactive zones, food vendors, merchandise, and digital fan experiences.
- Location: Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland
- Dates: July 17–20, 2025
- Total Attendance Expected: 275,000–278,000
- Purse: $17 million, winner $3.1 million
- Format: 72-hole stroke play; cut after 36 holes to top 70 and ties
- Playoff: 3-hole aggregate, then sudden-death if needed
Rory’s Redemption
No storyline is bigger than Rory McIlroy’s homecoming. The Northern Irishman grew up just a short drive from Portrush and comes in 2025 with something to prove – and everything to gain. In 2019, McIlroy’s early exit here, after a first-round 79, left fans and himself disappointed. He bounced back with a second-round 65 but missed the cut by one. Now with that painful memory behind him and a 2025 Masters win under his belt, McIlroy comes in with fresh motivation and high expectations.
Defending Champion and Other Contenders
The man looking to defend his title is Xander Schauffele, who won the 2024 Open at Royal Troon with a final-round 65. A minor injury disrupted his early 2025 season, but Schauffele remains one of the most complete and reliable players on the PGA TOUR.
Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler, the current World No. 1, is the bookies’ favorite. His surgical precision and consistent ball-striking make him a perennial threat, but he’ll need to tame the links to win.
Other Contenders:
- Robert MacIntyre – The left-handed Scot finished T6 at Portrush in 2019 and has already won twice in 2025. He’s comfortable on links and fearless with his shot-making, so he’s a potential threat.
- Shane Lowry – The 2019 champion returns to the scene of his greatest triumph. Not in his best form, but Lowry knows the course and the crowd and could make another deep run.
- Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, and Collin Morikawa – All top-ranked and capable of four good rounds.
Royal Portrush’s Subtlety
Portrush doesn’t need to be flashy to test the world’s best. What makes it so good is how it uses natural terrain, wind, and strategic design to challenge every part of a player’s game. Unlike many modern courses, Royal Portrush has only 62 bunkers. But each one is strategically placed and can turn a birdie opportunity into a bogey nightmare. Thick, rough lines, many fairways, and the fast, undulating greens require precision and touch.
Key challenges players will face:
- Coastal winds – Weather is always a factor. Wind direction and strength can change rapidly, and players will need to adapt hole by hole.
- Firm fairways and tight lies – Low ball flights, control, and imaginative shot shaping.
- Demanding approach play – Greens are small and unforgiving. Players will need to hit a high percentage of greens in regulation.
- Mental focus – Links golf can be emotionally taxing, especially if conditions worsen on the weekend.
How to Watch
The 2025 Open will be broadcast to nearly 200 countries, with full streaming options and tech-enhanced visuals.
U.S:
- Streaming: Peacock (early coverage, featured groups)
- Main Broadcast: NBC and USA Network (Thursday–Sunday)
UK:
- Live: Sky Sports Golf
- Highlights: BBC Two (daily evening recaps)
Features to Expect:
- Spidercam: Aerial flyover shots of the 18th and key approach holes
- Par-3 Channel: Dedicated feed of iconic par-3s like Calamity Corner
- Featured Groups: Star pairings available via app or streaming
- The Open App: Real-time leaderboard, hole tracking, tee times, and ticket management
With more cameras, drones, and AI-enhanced shot analysis, viewers can follow the action like never before – from the first tee to the final putt.