10 Picks to Win The Open 2025

When The Open was last played at Royal Portrush in 2019 it turned out to be a victory procession for Shane Lowry. Can he contend again?

Here we look at the players who we expect to be battling it out for the Claret Jug on Sunday.

Rory McIlroy

Admits that he has struggled for motivation since winning The Masters but if he can’t get up for this one then he can’t get up for anything. Could be a huge week for the world number two.

Shane Lowry

For reasons I fail to understand, Lowry is hugely underrated. Admittedly, he should win more than he does but he is in a rich vein of form this year and adores Royal Portrush.

Scottie Scheffler

Enjoying yet another stellar season but his rivals should take some consolation from the fact that, by his own incredible standards, he does not have a great record at The Open.

Ludvig Aberg

Has struggled a bit of late but has proved time and again that he is a big time player and will take the inevitable bad breaks in his stride. Will win majors - and could start this week.

Robert MacIntyre

I have a really good feeling about the Scot. He has been making cuts for fun on the PGA Tour and came so close to winning the US Open. His game is made for links golf. Will hope the wind blows.

Tommy Fleetwood

I have no doubts that he will have put his Travelers Championship disaster behind him. Was second here six years ago and will be desperate to go one better this time.

Xander Schauffele

The defending champion has had a horrible year after recovering from injury but he simply adores links golf and played some delightful stuff at the Scottish Open.

Collin Morikawa

Has enjoyed a fine season without yet finding a way to win, and will surely be boosted by having the vastly experienced Billy Foster on his bag at Portrush. Fabulous iron player.

Viktor Hovland

Has been through plenty of highs and lows but always seems to save his best for the majors and will be one of those hoping the wind blows as he is a proper shotmaker.

Matthew Fitzpatrick

The former US Open champion has been in the wilderness for a couple of years but is one of the hardest workers the game has ever seen and has bounced back in some style.

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