The 153rd Open Championship Preview: Royal Portrush 2025

Clickgolf focus upon The 153rd Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland, from 17-20 July 2025--one of golf's most beloved majors. Directed by The R&A, this links event will see 156 players battle it out across four days of thrilling competition..

🏴‍☠️ A Glimpse into The Open's Heritage

The Open Championship, founded in 1860 at Prestwick, is the oldest major in golf and is tracked in the record books by the iconic Claret Jug. Over decades, it developed into a rotating spectacle hosted at legendary venues such as St Andrews, Muirfield, Royal Liverpool, and Portrush--each stitching together links tradition and legend.

The event's storied history includes triumphs of the "Great Triumvirate," record-making plays by Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros, and Tiger Woods' 2000 "youngest to Grand Slam" victory. Royal Portrush previously hosted in 1951 (when Max Faulkner prevailed) and memorably in 2019, when Shane Lowry, the Irish favourite lifted the Jug.

Why Royal Portrush Demands Respect

Links layout: fescue-draped fairways, natural dune contours, and coastal winds keep players strategising.
Course challenges: Dunluce Links offers six par-5s, treacherous bunkers like "Purgatory" and "Calamity Corner," and firm running greens.
Weather volatility: gusts off the Antrim Coast, sudden showers, intensity meets unpredictability.

📊 Pre-tournament Betting Odds & Favourites

Hhere's how the top competitors currently stack up:

Player	Odds	Recent Highlights
Scottie Scheffler	9/2	3 wins in last 6 starts; chasing first Open title
Rory McIlroy	6/1	Northern Ireland native; completed career Grand Slam 2025 with Masters win
Jon Rahm	12/1	Always a major threat; consistently top-ranked
Xander Schauffele (Defending Champ)	18/1	2024 Claret Jug holder; consistent links performer
Bryson DeChambeau	16/1	Big hitter, looking to tame the wind
Ludvig Aberg & Robert MacIntyre	20/1 & 25/1	MacIntyre favoured links player
Shane Lowry	22/1	2019 Portrush champion returning to defend

🔧 What Clubs Are the Favourites Using?

While open club setups can change, key insights show:

Scottie Scheffler uses TaylorMade woods, irons, and putter, trusted for links control and feel.
Rory McIlroy plays TaylorMade Driver, P-Series irons, and Spider putter, power and versatility in wind.
Jon Rahm fiercely loyal to Callaway woods and Apex irons, styling both flight and accuracy.
Xander Schauffele continues with Callaway woods & Apex irons, a proven Open combination.
Robert MacIntyre uses Titleist irons and driver, balanced for precision and speed.

Curious about equipment? Explore their gear:

📚 History Revisited: Royal Portrush Moments

1951: Max Faulkner's rare Northern Ireland victory.
2019: Shane Lowry ends 68-year home drought, becoming crowd favourite.

💡 What Could Decide the Champion?

Wind mastery: Golfers who keep shots low and controlled thrive in Portrush.
Approach finesse: Elite green-holding crucial on firm, fast surfaces.
Mental endurance: With four rounds plus potential playoff, resilience is key.

✅ Final Outlook

The 2025 Open will likely spotlight Scheffler, McIlroy, Rahm, and Schauffele as the core contenders, with potent challenges from DeChambeau, MacIntyre, and Lowry.

SCHEFFLER (+380 to +500) - Formidable, in prime position.
McILROY (+650 to +700) - Home advantage, recent major fires.
RAHM (+1200) - Balanced all-rounder.
SCHAUFFELE (+2000) - In form, lines up for repeat magic.
DECHAMBEAU (+1400) - Brown-ball brute, but wind may erode edge.

🎫 How to Experience The Open

Tickets: sold via TheOpen.com, with hospitality and daily options
Coverage: global broadcast across 199 countries, R&A TV, radio, and streaming.
Local impact: expect over £100 million in tourism, tens of thousands in attendance