The final major championship of the year has arrived, bringing with it the unique challenge and storied tradition of The Open. In 2025, the golfing world converges once more upon the rugged, undulating links of Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, a venue that previously hosted this prestigious event in 2019 and left an indelible mark on players and fans alike.
This major season has already delivered a captivating narrative. We saw World Number Two Rory McIlroy complete a career grand slam with a triumphant victory at the Masters. Scottie Scheffler, the dominant force and World Number One, added another major title to his collection at the PGA Championship. And then, in a storybook turn, journeyman J.J. Spaun claimed a stunning victory at the U.S. Open at Oakmont. Now, these champions, along with the rest of the global elite, set their sights on the coveted Claret Jug.
Analyzing the field, considering recent form, historical performance on links courses, and the sheer mental fortitude required, provides insight into who might navigate the treacherous bunkers, unpredictable winds, and firm turf of Portrush to etch their name into history.
The Royal Portrush Challenge: A True Links Test
Links golf is a breed apart. Unlike the manicured parklands many players face weekly, the links at Portrush demand creativity, resilience, and a touch of luck. The course is shaped by nature – the sea, the wind, the dunes. Strategy shifts dramatically; control over ball flight becomes paramount, ground game skills are tested, and putting on often-bumpy, seaside greens can be a true adventure. Success here often favors those who embrace the elements and adapt their game rather than trying to overpower the course.
The Top Tier: World Number Ones and Homecoming Dreams
Leading the conversation are the players consistently at the pinnacle of the sport.
World Number One, Scottie Scheffler (ranked 1st by ESPN), arrives as the player to beat. His consistency is remarkable, yet his Open record, while solid (a T7 and T8), hasn`t mirrored his dominance elsewhere. Translating his formidable American game to the nuances of links golf remains the final frontier for his major collection. His recent tied-eighth finish at the Scottish Open suggests he`s fine-tuning for the challenge.
Jon Rahm (ranked 2nd) has been quietly building momentum. While his move to LIV Golf has shifted where he plays, his performances in majors this year (T14 at Masters, contending at PGA and U.S. Open with T7 finishes) show his competitive fire burns as brightly as ever. His powerful, passionate game feels increasingly suited to the battle often required on the links.
The narrative surrounding World Number Two, Rory McIlroy (ranked 3rd), is perhaps the most compelling. This is his home country, and the memories of missing the cut at Portrush in 2019 after hitting his opening tee shot out of bounds are impossible to ignore. Since achieving the career grand slam at Augusta, his form has been somewhat subdued, yet a strong tied-second finish at the Scottish Open points to his game rounding into form just in time for this emotionally charged return. Can he channel the immense local support into triumph?
Contenders with Proven Links Pedigree
Certain players possess a game or history particularly well-suited to The Open. Shane Lowry (ranked 6th) is the most obvious, having claimed his maiden major title in spectacular fashion right here at Royal Portrush in 2019. That commanding six-shot victory, fueled by deafening crowd support, is a potent memory. While his major form this year hasn`t been stellar, the return to the scene of his greatest triumph cannot be underestimated.
Collin Morikawa (ranked 8th), a past Open champion himself (2021 at Royal St. George`s), has one of the purest iron games in golf, a crucial asset on links courses that penalize errant approach shots. His ball striking is elite, though putting can be a variable. If his putter cooperates, his accuracy off the tee and into the greens makes him a significant threat.
Players like Tommy Fleetwood (ranked 10th) and Tyrrell Hatton (ranked 11th) also possess games that theoretically fit links golf well, combining strong ball striking with grit. Fleetwood has come agonizingly close to a major win, and The Open seems his most likely target. Hatton, known for his fiery demeanor, will find the stoic test of the links the ultimate crucible – watching him navigate adversity is, if nothing else, entertaining.
Local favorites extend beyond McIlroy and Lowry; Robert MacIntyre (ranked 12th) from Scotland, demonstrated impressive form at the U.S. Open and is comfortable on links layouts. His familiarity with the conditions gives him a distinct edge.
Wildcards and Intriguing Storylines
The field is peppered with players who could either hoist the Claret Jug or struggle depending on the week`s conditions and their mercurial form.
Bryson DeChambeau (ranked 4th) remains golf`s great experiment. His scientific approach clashes intriguingly with the unpredictable nature of links golf, a format where he has a mixed record. Can he “crack the code” of Portrush, or will the course`s subtleties frustrate his power game? It`s always a must-watch.
Viktor Hovland (ranked 7th) embodies inconsistency – capable of contending for majors (like his 3rd at the U.S. Open) or missing three straight cuts. His search for the perfect swing often plays out publicly, making him a high-ceiling, low-floor proposition this week.
Defending Champion Xander Schauffele (ranked 5th) arrives having had a relatively quiet year since his two major wins in 2024. While he possesses the steady, all-around game required for links success, finding that peak form will be key.
The inclusion of U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (ranked 21st) is a fascinating addition. Riding the wave of his surprising triumph, his first Open appearance will test his ability to immediately adapt to a vastly different challenge. Similarly, Ben Griffin (ranked 22nd), with two wins and multiple top-10s this season, arrives in red-hot form, though he`ll need to overcome past missed cuts at The Open.
The Deep Field: More Names to Watch
The depth of talent is undeniable. Players like Russell Henley (ranked 13th), whose accuracy makes him a strong candidate on courses prioritizing precision over power; Brooks Koepka (ranked 14th), a multiple major winner whose current form is a question mark but whose tenacity in majors is proven; and Joaquín Niemann (ranked 15th), dominant on LIV but yet to fully translate that to major championship Sundays, could all factor.
Justin Thomas (ranked 16th) has struggled at The Open historically, but his best finish came at Portrush in 2019, perhaps offering a glimmer of hope. Matt Fitzpatrick (ranked 17th) and Jordan Spieth (ranked 18th) bring varying degrees of recent form and links experience, while 44-year-old Justin Rose (ranked 19th), runner-up last year, proves that veteran experience can pay off.
Corey Conners (ranked 20th) and Sepp Straka (ranked 24th) are elite ball strikers capable of contending if other parts of their game align. Keegan Bradley (ranked 23rd) is having a strong year, eyeing a Ryder Cup spot and perhaps a major boost. Even Hideki Matsuyama (ranked 25th), with his streaky game, could find lightning in a bottle on a challenging links.
Anticipation Builds
As the world`s best descend upon Royal Portrush, the stage is set for golf`s most ancient championship. The course will demand respect, the weather will likely play its part, and the mental game will be tested at every turn. From the established titans chasing history to local heroes and dark horses seeking their moment, the battle for the Claret Jug in 2025 promises to be a compelling conclusion to the major season.
Marcus Blakely