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Golf’s final major of the season tees off this Thursday, July 17, as the 2025 Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Links in Northern Ireland. It’s a fitting venue to close out the major calendar, and the site of Rory McIlroy’s highly anticipated homecoming.
McIlroy, who captured the 2025 Masters in April and won The Open in 2014, will try to add a second Claret Jug to his resume.
However, this year’s field is deeper than ever, and the latest odds suggest he’ll need to summon something special to hold off the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. With Xander Schauffele returning as the defending champ and emerging stars threatening to steal the show, the stage is set for a captivating four days at Royal Portrush.
There’s no shortage of storylines entering this week. Scottie Scheffler, the betting favorite, has won eight of his last 25 starts and placed in the top 10 in 20 of them. His lone question mark is putting on these surfaces. Still, even on “off” weeks, he’s contending, finishing 8th last week at the Renaissance Club while leading the field in strokes gained total.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy returns to his native Northern Ireland with something to prove. The last time The Open visited Portrush in 2019, he missed the cut. His 2025 major form has also dipped since his Masters win, with a T47 at the PGA and T19 at the U.S. Open. But with home support and vast local knowledge, this may be his best shot yet at reclaiming the Claret Jug.
One player hoping to add his first Open Championship title is Jon Rahm, who’s always a threat in tough conditions, while Bryson DeChambeau remains one of the biggest wildcards in golf.
Among the value plays and rising stars, Ludvig Åberg enters looking to break through in a major for the first time. Åberg’s ball-striking consistency and calm under pressure make him a strong fit for Portrush. Cameron Young also has the tools to succeed, with a pair of top-10s in his last three Open appearances and a game that suits links golf.
Don’t overlook Viktor Hovland, either. He’s shown signs of life recently, finishing 11th at the Scottish Open and third at the U.S. Open. After a string of top-15 Open finishes in 2021-2023, the Norwegian could finally break through. And if you’re looking for a deep sleeper, Captain Keegan Bradley may be your guy. With top 10s at the PGA and Memorial, and a win at the Travelers, his current form in tough conditions and elite iron play give him a puncher’s chance.
The 25-year-old Swede has been knocking on the door for a major for a while now. Åberg’s combination of length off the tee and precision with his irons makes him tailor-made for links golf. He’s my favorite breakout pick to lift the Claret Jug at Portrush.
Hovland’s Open resume is quietly strong: T4 in 2022 and three top-13s in four starts before last year’s missed cut. He enters after a strong showing at the Scottish Open (T11) and a great run through the U.S. Open. Hovland’s ability to thrive under pressure, paired with his improved short game, makes him a top-tier contender.
Spieth has never missed a cut in 11 Open starts and won in 2017. He’s an artist with the creativity to thrive on links layouts, even when his swing isn’t perfect. As long as he’s healthy, after a neck injury sidelined him at the Travelers, Spieth’s pedigree and track record suggest he’ll be in the mix late Sunday.
It’s been a resurgent season for Bradley, with a Travelers win and strong finishes in nearly every elite field he’s faced. Portrush will test every part of his game, but in a year where he’s stepped up repeatedly, don’t be surprised if Captain Keegan contends into the weekend.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.