Scheffler, McIlroy, and the Wild Cards: What to Expect at the 2025 Open Championship
As the 153rd Open Championship tees off at the iconic Royal Portrush, anticipation is peaking for what could be one of the most competitive majors of the year. With golf’s biggest names arriving in form and the unpredictable nature of links golf always a factor, fans are bracing for four days of drama on Northern Ireland’s rugged coast.
Defending champion Xander Schauffele returns with momentum, but the spotlight remains firmly on world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and local hero Rory McIlroy. Scheffler has been a model of consistency in 2025, posting top-10 finishes in his last ten starts and showing an all-around game that’s nearly impervious to pressure. Despite never cracking the top three at The Open, he’s made the cut in all of his appearances and placed T7 last year at Royal Troon. If his putter holds up—still his occasional Achilles’ heel—there’s every reason to believe the Claret Jug could be his next conquest.
Links golf has historically tested even the best. Its uneven lies, gusting winds, and penal pot bunkers don’t always reward the purest ball-striker. But Royal Portrush might be the fairest of the lot. Scheffler has acknowledged this, noting how the bunkers here funnel balls into more consistent lies—an underrated detail that could tip the scales in his favor this week. Still, his recent outing at the Scottish Open raised eyebrows: he lost nearly 1.5 strokes to the field with his putter. If that trend continues, the window opens for others to strike.
Chief among those challengers is McIlroy, whose connection to Portrush runs deeper than most. The Northern Irishman’s infamous missed cut in 2019 on this very course still lingers, but so does the fire to redeem it. He’s come close in recent majors and arrives sharp, both mentally and physically. With home crowds behind him, Portrush could either be his crucible or his coronation.
Don’t count out the wild cards either. While the big names dominate headlines, The Open is known for letting long shots rise. Shane Lowry, who lifted the Claret Jug at Portrush in 2019, knows how to master its windy corridors. Rising stars like Ludvig Åberg and Tom Kim could also find their rhythm early and shake up the leaderboard. And as always, expect at least one unknown to hang around into the weekend—links golf has a way of humbling legends and elevating outsiders.
Weather, too, will play its part. Forecasts hint at dry early rounds with wind picking up over the weekend, creating ideal scoring conditions that could quickly turn treacherous. Navigating the unpredictable gusts across Dunluce Links will require not just precision but patience, making mental resilience as important as raw skill.
Ultimately, all eyes are on Scheffler. His iron game remains arguably the best on tour, and his improved putting could finally bring him that elusive Open breakthrough. Yet in golf’s oldest major, even the steadiest players can unravel in a single hole. McIlroy, Rahm, Schauffele, or even a late Sunday charge from a sleeper could just as easily define the tournament.
No matter how it unfolds, Royal Portrush promises another memorable chapter in Open history. And whether it ends with redemption, dominance, or surprise, one thing is certain: golf fans are in for a classic.
Previously on our site:
Catch up on more of our top stories:
Paul George Undergoes Knee Surgery as Sixers’ Turmoil Deepens
Kyle Schwarber Powers National League to Historic All-Star Game Victory
Stay with us for more MLB updates, NBA Summer League highlights, and stories from across the sports world.