The final major of the 2025 golf season arrives at one of the sport’s most dramatic and unforgiving venues, as the Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. Known for its rugged coastline, unpredictable weather, and the brutal test of Dunluce Links, Portrush offers a true links challenge that demands creativity, precision, and resilience. The last time The Open was staged here in 2019, Shane Lowry captured a career-defining victory in front of a raucous home crowd, and this year’s field arrives hungry to etch their own name into history on one of golf’s most iconic stages. With pressure mounting and the Claret Jug up for grabs, all eyes turn to a blend of proven major champions, rising stars, and local hopefuls who could shake up the leaderboard in what promises to be a thrilling week on the Antrim coast. With that in mind, here are the players in this week’s field who have exactly what it takes to master the demanding conditions of links golf:

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Key Players to Watch

Rory McIlroy

For just the second time in his career, Rory McIlroy returns to one of golf’s grandest stages in his home country of Northern Ireland—and while his first Open appearance at Royal Portrush ended in a missed cut, the circumstances feel entirely different this time around. Since that 2019 heartbreak, Rory’s game has matured, and with his breakthrough Masters win earlier this year finally completing the career Grand Slam, the narrative has shifted from “when will he do it?” to “how far can he go?” Statistically, his approach numbers have dipped slightly compared to peak seasons, but he’s still one of the best ball-strikers in the game—especially in links conditions, where he consistently thrives. While his trademark combination of distance and accuracy off the tee remains front and center—he ranks second in driving distance and fifth in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (0.632)—it’s what he’s done around the greens that separates him this season. He’s currently second in Total Strokes Gained (1.790), fourth in Putting (0.754), seventh in putting average (1.707 putts per hole), and 17th in scrambling (64.47%)—proof that his all-around game is as complete as it’s ever been. Rory’s 2025 campaign has already been historic, with wins at The PLAYERS and The Masters, and since then he’s added top-10s at several key events like a T6 finish at the Travelers and, crucially, a T2 at the Genesis Scottish Open—a clear indicator that his links game is peaking at the right time. Unsurprisingly, his odds reflect that form: +750 to win outright, -140 for a Top 10, and -250 for a Top 20 (via DraftKings). Betting on him at those numbers requires confidence, but it’s hard to argue the case against him. If McIlroy can finally claim the Claret Jug in front of a home crowd, it would be more than just a sixth major—it might be the most meaningful moment of his career, even more so than completing the Slam back in April.

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Shane Lowry

While much of the spotlight this week is rightfully on Rory McIlroy returning to compete in his home country, there’s another Irishman who deserves just as much—if not more—attention: Shane Lowry. The 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year dominated at Royal Portrush six years ago, winning by six shots in one of the most memorable Open performances in recent history. If anyone in the field can step onto this course with total confidence, it’s Lowry. He isn’t known as an elite putter, but that’s not a dealbreaker at a venue like Portrush, where precision ball-striking and course management are far more valuable than raw scoring with the flatstick. Statistically, Lowry backs that up. He ranks 28th in driving accuracy (64.89%) and 50th in greens in regulation (67.39%), but where he truly stands out is in strokes gained. He sits 13th in Total Strokes Gained (1.050), fifth in Tee-to-Green (1.187), and a staggering third in Approach the Green (0.932)—all signs that he has the exact skillset needed to succeed here. Lowry’s recent form hasn’t been overwhelming. Since finishing co-runner-up at the Truist Championship in Philadelphia, his only notable result was a T13 at the RBC Canadian Open. But after taking a short break from competition, he enters this week refreshed and focused with a renewed mindset—particularly with the added motivation of playing on home soil again. Granted, there are fair concerns. His +17 finish at this year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont—a venue where he was T2 in 2016—raised eyebrows about his ability to replicate past success. Still, Portrush is a different story. With his track record here and the advantage of local familiarity, Lowry is a legitimate threat to land inside the Top 10 or Top 20. Don’t go as far as picking him outright—but for placement bets, he’s absolutely worth a strong look.

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Scottie Scheffler

I said this last week, and I’ll say it again—are we really going to preview a major championship without mentioning the world’s best golfer? Of course not. And honestly, is it even a question whether he deserves back-to-back spotlights? Absolutely not. Scottie Scheffler has earned every bit of the attention. His numbers are staggering: he leads the field in Total Strokes Gained, Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green, and Strokes Gained: Approach, and he ranks inside the top 20 in nearly every key statistical category. That includes second in scrambling (68.54%), 13th in greens in regulation (70.28%), and fourth in putting average (1.713 putts per round). These are generational metrics—ones we haven’t seen consistently since the primes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, a younger Rory McIlroy, or Jordan Spieth. Frankly, it feels like we’re watching the early chapters of a Hall of Fame career unfold in real time. At The Open specifically, Scheffler hasn’t finished worse than T23 in four appearances and posted a T7 last year at Royal Troon, his best yet. Add in a T8 last week at the Scottish Open, and it’s clear: links golf isn’t just something he can handle—it’s something he can thrive in. What’s crazy? That Scottish Open finish was tied for his worst result since March. He’s won three of his last seven starts, posted top-10 finishes in 10 straight events, and hasn’t placed outside the top 25 in any of his 15 starts this season. The consistency is absurd. Scheffler would be an automatic “Best Bet” if his odds to win (+450) and top-10 finish (-225) weren’t already so steep. It’s tough to find betting value on a guy who’s made excellence the norm. That said, he did speak this week about the sacrifices he’s made—like missing out on family moments due to his packed schedule—which raises a fair question about whether he’s mentally all-in this week. But then again, this is Scottie Scheffler. If there’s one player in the world who shrugs off distractions and stays locked in, it’s him. So, if your gut tells you to ride with him again? Trust it.

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Now, let’s go ahead and dive right into the best value bets to take this week:

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Top 20: Sepp Straka (+180, DraftKings)

One of the most quietly consistent performers on the PGA TOUR this season has been Sepp Straka. The Austrian has more than held his own against the world’s best, and while much of the conversation around him centers on whether he can finally deliver in a major, what’s flown under the radar is just how strong his game is on links-style setups. Statistically, Straka stacks up with the elite. He ranks third on TOUR in Total Strokes Gained (1.419)—trailing only Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy—and sits comfortably inside the top 10 in several key categories. He’s seventh in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (1.081) and seventh in Putting Average (1.717 putts per hole), a rare combination of ball-striking and short-game touch. Even more impressively, he’s fourth in both Strokes Gained: Approach (0.865) and Greens in Regulation Percentage (71.09%), two critical stats for navigating the challenges of Royal Portrush. His 2025 campaign already includes wins at The American Express and the Truist Championship, along with four other top-10 finishes: T7 at Pebble Beach, T5 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, solo third at the Memorial, and most recently, a solo seventh at the Genesis Scottish Open—a strong indicator of form heading into this week. The major concern? Straka has missed the cut at all three majors this year, a glaring blemish on an otherwise stellar season. But if there’s one major where he’s proven he can contend, it’s The Open. He finished T22 at Royal Troon last year, and was a co-runner-up at Royal Liverpool in 2023, showing he’s more than comfortable on damp, windswept terrain. Given his form, his stats, and his links experience, Royal Portrush sets up very well for Straka. He may not be a popular name heading into the week, but based on the numbers and recent history, it would be a surprise if he doesn’t land inside the top 20. And if he does, it’ll be a fitting breakthrough on the major stage he’s long been building toward.

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Top 10: Xander Schauffele (+225, DraftKings)

After lifting the Claret Jug at Royal Troon last year, Xander Schauffele returns to The Open Championship looking to defend his title, win his third major in the last two years, and once again claim the title of Champion Golfer of the Year—this time on the rugged links of Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. No player has gone back-to-back at The Open since Padraig Harrington did it in 2007–08, but if anyone in today’s game has the consistency, poise, and all-around skill to pull it off, it’s the 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist. Statistically, his 2025 season hasn’t quite matched the highs of last year, but he’s still performing at a high level—especially in the areas that matter on links courses. He ranks seventh on TOUR in Strokes Gained: Approach (0.681) and 34th in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (0.653). Those numbers might seem modest in a vacuum, but they’ve come exclusively against elite fields on difficult courses, a reflection of the schedule Schauffele plays. His two top-10 finishes this season? At The Masters and last week’s Genesis Scottish Open—both marquee events that indicate his game is trending upward at exactly the right time. Schauffele has also been remarkably consistent: nine top-30 finishes in 12 starts, zero missed cuts, and a steady presence near the top of leaderboards all season long. While his T41 finish at Portrush in 2019 is his worst Open result, it came during his first appearance at the venue. Since then, he’s matured significantly as a player and has shown steady growth on links courses. Outside of that and a T26 at Royal St George’s in 2021, he’s never finished worse than T20 in his other five Open appearances. At +2200 to win (DraftKings), Schauffele carries the fifth-best odds in the field. While repeating as champion is a tall order, his growing comfort in links conditions, major pedigree, and current form make him a compelling pick to finish inside the top 10. With the way he’s trending, it’s a smart wager—and potentially a profitable one.

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Winner: Viktor Hovland (+3000, DraftKings)

After missing on last week’s winner pick with Collin Morikawa bowing out early at the Genesis Scottish Open, it’s time to shift focus to a player who looks like he’s peaking at just the right moment—Viktor Hovland. The former Oklahoma State standout has flirted with major contention multiple times, and with his experience in windy conditions and a resume that checks nearly every box for a future major champion, he feels like the right play this week at Royal Portrush. Like Xander Schauffele, Hovland’s season-long numbers might not jump off the page at first glance, but a deeper dive reveals the ball-striking brilliance that makes him such a dangerous threat—especially on a course like Portrush. The 2023 FedEx Cup winner ranks second on TOUR in Strokes Gained: Approach (0.968), 14th in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (0.928), and 25th in Total Strokes Gained (0.814). His iron play from 125 to 250 yards has been among the best in the world this season—an essential trait when trying to hold firm links greens in heavy wind. While scrambling and putting remain the biggest knocks on his game, those elements are somewhat less critical at a venue like Portrush, where precision off the tee and elite approach play are rewarded more than pure short-game magic. And lately, he’s shown he can put together consistent results. Since winning the Valspar Championship in March, Hovland has posted top-30 finishes in nearly every start, including all three majors—aside from a withdrawal at the Travelers, where he sat inside the top 20 before pulling out on Sunday. Perhaps most importantly, he’s coming off a T11 finish at the Scottish Open after a month-long break from competition—a sign his game is sharp and rested heading into the year’s final major. Add in his solo third at last month’s U.S. Open at Oakmont, and it’s clear that his form is real, and the moment might finally be aligning. Hovland hasn’t had a strong track record at The Open historically, but this feels like a perfect storm: momentum, form, confidence, and a course that fits his strengths. Don’t be surprised if Viktor Hovland is in the final few pairings on Sunday—this could finally be his breakthrough week. At +3000, the value is undeniable for a player hungry for his first major.

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Stay tuned later this weekend for daily recaps of the action, and once the final putt drops, I’ll break down my key takeaways from this year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush!