The Open 2025 course guide: Hole-by-hole analysis as tournament returns to Royal Portrush
Six years after Irishman Shane Lowry's famous victory, golf's oldest major returns to the County Antrim coast.
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Scottie Scheffler plays out of a bunker on the 16th hole during a practice round
Credit: AP
The course, which has been lengthened by 37 yards since
Other fancied golfers include
Here's how the venue looks
read more on the open
1st - Hughie's - 420 yards, par 4:
Most players will take a three wood or long iron as the key is avoiding the fairway bunker on the left to set up an approach to an elevated green.
2nd - Giant's Grave - 575 yards, par 5
The hole is almost 50 yards longer than it was in 2012 and a good drive will need to hug the left to have a chance of reaching in two.
3rd - Islay - 176 yards, par 3
A relatively-straightforward hole with just one bunker but the green slopes from right to left.
4th - Fred Daly's - 502 yards, par 4
Now 20 yards longer than 2019. Quite a narrow tee shot with the wall on the right and a bunker on the left which must be avoided.
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The fifth hole is right on the edge of the coastline
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5th - White Rocks - 372 yards, par 4
If it plays downwind, you can be aggressive and cut the corner of the dog leg and get close to the green, but it is tough to pick the right line.
6th - Harry Colt's - 193 yards, par 3
A classic links par three away from the water so club selection is key.
7th - Curran Point - 607 yards, par 5
This has extended by 15 yards, but will be a birdie chance downwind if players avoid the massive bunker on the right.
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8th - Dunluce - 434 yards, par 4
The hole gives Open players the option to lay up short of the fairway bunkers or take them on to get closer to a large, undulating green.
9th - Darren Clarke's - 432 yards, par 4
The prevailing wind is off the left. A
radio
mast in the distance is the
target
off the tee and it is a must to find the narrow fairway.
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The 9th has been renamed in honour of former Open winner Darren Clarke
Credit: Getty
10th - Himalayas - 450 yards, par 4
The hole doglegs from left to right and it is important to hit the undulating fairway otherwise you will be hitting across the long, narrow green.
11th - Tavern - 475 yards, par 4
Was a par five and it was the joint-hardest hole when Lowry won the Claret Jug in 2019. There is a big dip in front of a very narrow green with a lot of trouble around it.
12th - Dhu Varren - 532 yards, par 5
The easiest hole of the 2019
championship
. A good chance for a birdie if they can stay out of the bunkers on the right.
13th - Feather Bed - 199 yards, par 3
Five yards have been added but a downhill tee shot means it plays shorter than the yardage suggests.
14th - Causeway - 466 yards, par 4
Seven yards shorter than in 2019 when it was the joint-hardest of the tournament, and one of the widest tee shots on the course.
15th - Skerries - 429 yards, par 4
Probably an iron down the right as long as you can carry the bunkers on the right and run it down the hill.
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The spectacular scenery of the 15th hole Skerries at Royal Portrush
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16th - Calamity - 236 yards, par 3
A brutal par three with a long carry to quite a big green. A lot of second shots will be played from left of the green.
17th - Purgatory - 409 yards, par 4
Tee shots will land on a downslope and if the wind is in the right direction, the bigger hitters will have the chance to drive a green.
18th - Babington's - 474 yards, par 4
A left-to-right dogleg with quite a generous fairway and the biggest danger is the two bunkers to the right.
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