The 153rd Open Championship takes place at Royal Portrush from 17-20 July, marking only the tournament’s third time held here (and indeed in Northern Ireland) in its 165-year history.
We caught up with Golf Care ambassador and three-time Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher ahead of the tournament to get the lowdown on what he’s expecting.
Here’s what he said…
The Open Championship 2025
My former mentor and teacher, Max Faulkner, won the Open by two strokes at Royal Portrush back in 1951 and collected a humble £300 in prize money.
To put that into perspective—the last time the Open was held here, in 2019, Irishman Shane Lowry took home nearly $2m, and this year’s winner is set to pocket around $3m!
I’ve often wondered what my old friend Max would think of the riches on offer today…
The Open has given us some fantastic moments over the years, but the big question now, of course, is who’s going to shine this time around and take home the famous Claret Jug?
Here’s who I’ll be watching the closest.
Who's going to stand out at The Open?
Scottie SCHEFFLER is still the world number one, and after winning the USPGA at Quail Hollow in May, he’s bang in form. I don’t think there are any weaknesses in his game, but his best finish in an Open Championship currently remains tied 7th, at Royal Troon in 2024. I suspect he’ll be more than disappointed if he can’t better that this year.
Rory MCILROY probably felt like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders after finally completing his long-awaited Grand Slam at Augusta in April. He’s, of course, one of golf’s all-time greats, but he missed the cut last time here back in 2019, so I can’t help but feel he has unfinished business with Portrush. If he’s in the mood, he’s the man to beat.
Xander SCHAUFFELE had a fantastic 2024, winning two Majors, including The Open at Royal Troon. He’s a straight long hitter off the tee and a solid putter, as we indeed saw last year on those famously tricky Troon greens. 2025 has been less fruitful for Schauffele thanks to an unfortunate rib injury, but he’s slowly working his way back.
JJ SPAUN is still a newcomer, despite being 34, but I couldn’t not mention him after he surprised us all with his US Open victory at Oakmont in June. He plays tough courses very well, which bodes well for him again at The Open.
Shane LOWRY is a very good player, and he knows this course well, having won this very tournament here by an impressive six strokes in 2019. He’s having another good year and could easily win again this year.
Robert MACINTYRE has firmly established himself on the PGA Tour and came close at the US Open, finishing runner-up to JJ Spaun. He finished tied 6th here back in 2019, so he knows his way around the course already. His game is pretty solid—particularly his putting—but it definitely feels as though he’s ready to take things up a level.
How will LIV Golf players fare at Portrush?
As always, the main issue facing players on the LIV Tour is their lack of competition time compared to those on the traditional Tours.
Another potential problem this time, though, is having to play the LIV Golf event at Real Club Valderrama the week before. On the other hand, non-LIV players will be acclimatising perfectly on the Scottish Open links.
That said, there are still plenty of potential Open winners in the LIV cohort. Here are my top picks:
Jon RAHM is a two-time Major winner and tied 2nd in the Open at Royal Liverpool in 2023. He tied 7th at the recent US Open, but finished strongly, and with no weaknesses in his game, he’s always in with a chance of silverware.
Bryson DECHAMBEAU’s best Open finish came when he tied 8th at St. Andrews in 2022, but he’s a big-hitting, charismatic player who’s popular with the galleries. He may not have the all-round finesse in his game to prevail at Royal Portrush, but time will tell…
Tyrrell HATTON could no doubt take his game to an even higher level if he competed every week. Nevertheless, he’s still technically very sound and one of the best putters around on his day. He put in a solid performance at the US Open, finishing tied 4th and only four strokes behind winner JJ Spaun. He has a very good chance at Portrush if he can control his on-course anger.
Joaquin NIEMANN may not be a household name (yet), but he’s the dominant player on the LIV Tour, and he was the world #1 amateur golfer before turning professional in 2018. Before joining LIV, his PGA Tour highlight came when he won the 2022 Genesis Invitational in LA, hosted by Tiger Woods. He’s a solid player with a good temperament, and he definitely has the potential to do well at the Open.
Who do you think will win the Open in 2025? Get in touch and let us know!
Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.
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