Royal Portrush returns to the Open rota with winds whipping, bunkers lurking, and Northern Irish hospitality as warm as the pints. The Dunluce Links, revamped in 2019, is set to host the 153rd Open, and it’s ready to chew up scorecards like they’re oatcakes. Portrush is a classic, brutal when breezy, fair when calm, and always breathtaking. As we did with the U.S. Open, let’s dive into our picks.
The Smart Money Favourites (a.k.a. “Don’t Overthink It”)
Scottie Scheffler (+450 to +550)
If you’re picking against Scheffler, you’re probably doing it for emotional reasons. World No. 1, most consistent player on Earth, and he just eats ball-striking metrics for breakfast. The only asterisk? He hasn’t proven himself in heavy coastal conditions. Of course, you’re still going to pick him in your pool, just don’t expect Irish crowds to cheer his pars like they would Rory’s bogeys.
Rory McIlroy (+700)
The prodigal son returns. He’s conquered Augusta this year (finally!) and now comes full circle to Portrush, scene of his most famous implosion. But Rory’s been on fire in 2025 and seems emotionally ready to exorcise his local demons. OfficePools staff are split, some picking him outright, others cautiously sliding him into the top 10, but you can’t script this much story without feeling fate might finally cooperate.
Xander Schauffele (+2500)
Your reigning Champion Golfer of the Year. He’s not flashy, just machine-like. He quietly won at Troon and hasn’t finished outside the top 20 in three months. We see him as a high-value pick again, and we predict another deep run. If Open titles come in bunches, this is your guy.
The Sleepers That Might Just Boom
Robert MacIntyre (+3500)
He’s Scottish. He’s gritty. And he’s fresh off a U.S. Open runner-up. Experts list him as a high-upside play, and at Portrush in 2019, he quietly grabbed a T6. A win here would turn him into Braveheart 2.0, minus the war paint. “FREEDOM!”
Jordan Spieth (+5000)
Don’t laugh. We’re firmly behind him as a live dog, and so is CBS, as we see him as a strong course fit with elite short-game flair. He also hasn’t contended since 2022, which is a concern… unless you remember that links golf is a Spieth cheat code. Chaos favours the artistic.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+5500)
We love his trending form after a strong Scottish Open and his top-tier iron play. Quietly reliable, like your most British friend offering you tea during a thunderstorm. He could easily top 10 here, and no one would blink.
Danger Picks (Warning: May Cause Golf Pool Regret)
Bryson DeChambeau: Called Portrush “diabolical.” That usually means “I’m going to blame my 73 on the architecture.” He may have angered the Irish Golf Gods.
Ludvig Åberg: First Open. Immense talent, but even Victor Hovland missed three cuts before figuring out links golf.
Tony Finau: Big-game potential, but in poor form and erratic with the driver. He’s more coin flip than contender.
Statistical Sweet Spot
- Driving accuracy > distance. You cannot bomb-and-gouge Royal Portrush.
- Scrambling is king, expect fairways to be missed, greens to be firm, and nerves to fray.
- Winning score: -11 is the consensus line across most online projections.
Final Word
The 2025 Open at Portrush is shaping up to be a battle of patience, precision, and public emotion. Whether Rory redeems, Rahm rises, or Robert roars, expect a thrilling, windy, maybe slightly rainy masterpiece.
And remember: the real Champion Golfer of the Year is the guy who picked Ryan Fox in a fantasy golf league and refuses to shut up about it. But I mean, come on, it was a pretty good pick, right?
