The final major of the season is here, and it’s as loaded with storylines as ever. The 153rd Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush for just the third time in history—and the first since 2019—where Shane Lowry famously triumphed in front of a roaring home crowd. This year, Northern Ireland’s own Rory McIlroy returns to the same stage, hoping to make history of his own.
McIlroy enters the week as the reigning Masters champion and World No. 2, chasing a rare feat: winning the Masters and The Open in the same year—a double last accomplished by Tiger Woods in 2005. With three wins already this season and a string of top-10 finishes, the pressure is high, but so is his form. McIlroy’s last visit to Portrush in 2019 ended in heartbreak, missing the cut after an opening-round 79. But redemption could be just a few swings away.
Also in the hunt is World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who leads the FedExCup standings and has finished inside the top 10 in all three majors this season, including a win at the PGA Championship. He’s the only player on TOUR with double-digit top-10s this year—making him a consistent threat to hoist the Claret Jug for the first time.
Then there’s Xander Schauffele, the defending Open champion. The World No. 3 is trying to become the first back-to-back winner of The Open since Padraig Harrington in 2008. While Schauffele hasn’t found the winner’s circle in 2025, his 68 consecutive made cuts is the longest active streak on TOUR, a testament to his relentless consistency.
Other contenders include:
- Shane Lowry, who seeks a repeat at Portrush after a solid season with multiple runner-up finishes;
- Justin Rose, in his 22nd Open appearance, coming off strong form with a runner-up at the Masters;
- J.J. Spaun, the surprise U.S. Open winner, making his Open Championship debut with a shot at going back-to-back in majors.
The field is stacked with 49 of the top 50 players in the world and 29 of the top 30 in FedExCup standings. With FedExCup Playoffs looming just three weeks away, every point counts—and for many, this is a last chance to make a move.
Royal Portrush, stretched to 7,381 yards as a par-71, will test every aspect of a player’s game—from creative shot-making to mental toughness in coastal winds. It’s the kind of venue where legends can rise—and legacies can be sealed.
Storylines to Watch:
- Will Rory deliver a storybook win at home?
- Can Scheffler cap off a dominant year with another major?
- Will The Open continue its streak of first-time winners (11 straight years)?
- Is another breakthrough moment brewing for a young star like Robert MacIntyre or a seasoned vet like Rose?
One thing is certain: when The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush, history always feels within reach.