2025 Open Championship Betting Tips – Royal Portrush Preview

Shane Lowry lifts the Claret Jug after winning the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush. The crowd erupted as the Irishman clinched victory in what felt like a fairytale homecoming. Fast forward to 2025, and The Open Championship is back at Royal Portrush for the first time since that unforgettable week. The 2019 Open drew nearly 240,000 fans to this Northern Irish links – a record-setting turnout fueled by Lowry’s storybook win on home soil. No wonder the R&A quickly slated Portrush for another go just six years later (after waiting 68 years since 1951 for the last one!). Now the question is: can the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush deliver another magical chapter for bettors and fans alike?

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The Dunluce Links: Where Beauty Meets Beast

Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Links course is a stunner – gorgeous coastal views paired with downright beastly challenges. Originally designed by Harry Colt and revamped ahead of 2019, the course now stretches to 7,346 yards as a par 71. A couple of new holes were added and the routing tweaked, and the result in 2019 was a layout that players praised (well, aside from those who found the rough!). This links is unlike some others on The Open rota: it undulates with significant elevation changes amid towering dunes, and it’s famous for the Par-3 16th hole nicknamed “Calamity Corner,” a nerve-wracking tee shot over a yawning chasm. In 2019, Shane Lowry tamed this course with a record-setting round on his way to victory. In 2025, expect Dunluce Links to bare its teeth once again – and the players know it.

Weather or Not, It Matters: Portrush is a true links on the North Atlantic coast, which means wind and rain can show up without warning. One minute it’s tranquil, the next you’re practically aiming 30 yards left to allow for a gale. Savvy Open veterans relish this unpredictability – “Proper Open weather to become a champion,” as Jon Rahm put it. Indeed, when the elements kick up, it can level the playing field. Big hitters might be forced to keep it low, and even the world’s top players can be brought to their knees by a nasty squall. Bettors should keep an eye on the forecast, because a blustery weekend could favour the gritty, creative shot-makers over the one-dimensional bombers. It’s all part of the Open’s charm – you’re not just battling other golfers, you’re battling mother nature and the quirky bounces of links turf.

Tips Recap:

• Prioritise players with proven links golf success and adaptability.
• Watch the weather forecast closely; wet and windy conditions often favour creative, patient golfers.
• Favour players with excellent scrambling and short-game skills for recovery shots.

Big Names, Big Expectations

There’s no shortage of star power eyeing the Claret Jug in 2025. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has been a model of consistency and is arguably the man to beat. He’s still seeking his first Open win, but he’s come close – in fact, links golf clicked with him quicker than he expected. Scheffler’s all-around game and cool head make him a formidable contender on any course, coastal or not.

Then there’s Rory McIlroy, the hometown hero of sorts, carrying the hopes of an entire island on his shoulders. Portrush 2019 was a bitter pill for Rory – an out-of-bounds on his very first shot and a quadruple-bogey later in the round led to a devastating opening 79, and despite a valiant comeback, he missed the cut in front of his home fans. That memory has lingered. But you know what? Rory is a different player now, more seasoned and perhaps more motivated than ever to script a redemption story. He’s had a strong season leading up to this Open and would love nothing more than to exorcise the ghosts of 2019. Expect McIlroy’s name to be near the top of the betting slips – and listen for the roar if he gets it going, because the Portrush crowd will be right there with him.

Don’t sleep on Jon Rahm either. The fiery Spaniard has already proven his links mettle, notching a top-11 finish at Portrush in 2019 and winning two Irish Opens on links courses. He’s famously comfortable in lousy weather and has the power and creativity to tackle Dunluce’s toughest holes. Rahm has been somewhat quiet in majors lately, but that could change in a hurry.

How about the defending Open Champion? Xander Schauffele lifted the Claret Jug last year and now aims to go back-to-back. Xander actually has some history at Portrush: in 2019 he had a wild up-and-down week (a horrid opening round, a brilliant 65 to make the cut, then a stumble on Sunday). He’ll be keen to put together four steady rounds this time.

Tips Recap:

• Consider Scheffler for top finish bets; his consistency makes him a safe anchor.
• McIlroy is a strong outright or each-way pick – he’s motivated for redemption at Portrush.
• Rahm is another solid outright option, especially if the weather gets tricky.
• Schauffele deserves a look for top-10 markets, given his recent Open pedigree.

Home Heroes and Fan Favourites

For UK bettors, a huge part of the story is the “home team” – the British and Irish players who would send the crowd into raptures if they contend. McIlroy we’ve covered, but he’s not the only local hero. Shane Lowry, the champion of 2019, returns to the scene of his greatest triumph. Lowry was unbelievably calm during that final round at Portrush. His win wasn’t just a personal victory, it was a national celebration – there were Cheltenham-like scenes of ecstatic punters literally sprinting across the dunes clutching betting slips with Lowry’s name on them. In 2025, Lowry will surely draw energy from those memories. While repeating is a tall order, his comfort on this course and outstanding record on links shouldn’t be ignored.

England’s Tommy Fleetwood is another fan favourite to watch. Back in 2019, Fleetwood played in the final group on Sunday and finished runner-up to Lowry – oh so close. He’s been knocking on the door in majors and has the temperament to stay steady.

Tyrrell Hatton also has a solid track record at Portrush. Despite occasional on-course fireworks, he thrives on passionate UK support. Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre is a dark horse – he shone brightly here as a rookie, and his links experience makes him intriguing.

Tips Recap:

• Lowry is an appealing each-way or top-10 bet, especially if the weather gets tough.
• Fleetwood is a credible outright or top-5 candidate with unfinished business.
• Hatton and MacIntyre are solid dark horses for each-way consideration.

Smart Betting Angles in Play

When it comes to betting on The Open Championship, especially at a venue like Royal Portrush, a little savvy can go a long way. Here are a few tips and angles to keep in mind:

• Links Experience: Players who’ve proven themselves on windy, firm seaside courses tend to handle the quirks better.
• Weather Watch: Monitor forecasts; tough conditions often shake up the leaderboard.
• Home Crowd Boost: Local favourites often rise to the occasion.
• Momentum and Form: Back players carrying recent good form, especially on links.
• Major Mettle: Proven major champions handle pressure best.

Tips Recap:

• Balance your betting slip with a mix of favourites and value picks.
• Use each-way bets to cover strong contenders and dark horses alike.
• Look for players who combine strong recent form, major experience, and links know-how.

2025 Open Championship Betting Tips: Ready for Another Royal Portrush Epic?

Portrush proved in 2019 that it can produce drama like no other, and the stage is set for another epic in 2025. The mix of a world-class course, unpredictable weather, and a field of golf’s best (plus a few dream-chasing underdogs) is a recipe for pure excitement. Will we get a storybook ending again? Perhaps a hometown hero raising the Claret Jug to deafening cheers? As bettors, all we can do is study the form, respect the intangibles, and embrace the ride. When that opening tee shot is struck, you’d best have your popcorn (and your bets) ready. This is links golf’s ultimate lottery – enjoy it!

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