The Open 2025: Tee times, TV details, weather forecast, players to watch
The final men's Major of the year, the
Open Championship
, will begin at
Royal Portrush
early on Thursday morning. It is the 153rd edition of golf's oldest Major and only the third hosted on the island of Ireland. The tournament will run until Sunday afternoon, where the winner will pick up the Claret Jug.
How can I follow it all?
You can watch coverage live on Sky Sports, from 6.30am on Thursday and Friday, Sky Sports boasts of showing at least 15 hours of action each day. Not bad at all. On Saturday and Sunday coverage starts from 8am. You can also follow it live on our live blog on The Irish Times Sport website.
What are the tee times?
The tee times will follow when they are available.
Who are the Irish players playing at Troon and what are their chances?
There are five Irish players at Portrush –
Shane Lowry
,
Rory McIlroy
, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Tom McKibbin – all with very different stories and levels of expectation for this week.
READ MORE
For Lowry and McIlroy it's with an eye on winning. Lowry returns to the scene of his greatest triumph, winning the 2019 Open on the great links, and in good form this year, he will expect to be in contention on Sunday. McIlroy is one of the favourites having completed the career Grand Slam this year by winning the Masters. After a post-Masters hangover, he showed he is back focused and on form with a tied second place in the Scottish Open on Sunday. He will want to make up for last time too, when he missed the cut in 2019 to the disappointment of home fans cheering him on.
Tom McKibbin heads into the tournament after a tied-fourth finish on LIV and he will be hoping for his best Major finish of his young career at a course he has been playing since age 10. Clarke and Harrington have been playing Portrush themselves since long before McKibbin was born and both will fancy making the cut on a course they know so well.
Shane Lowry won the Claret Jug last time in Portrush. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty
Who are the other main contenders?
Scottie Scheffler is the favourite every time he tees up, although this would be considered the weakest of the four Majors for him as he has not yet won a tournament on a links course. The great players, however, find a way, so expect him to be there or thereabouts. Jon Rahm has no such problem winning on links, he has won twice on links in Ireland for that matter, including next door at Portstewart. A steady year in the Majors, not worse than tied 14th, and in the Open, with three top 10s in four years, suggest he is primed to win an Open soon.
What is the course like?
The Dunluce Links is one of the finest links courses in Ireland, a Harry Colt-designed links along Antrim's Causeway Coast. This is the third time it has hosted the Open, first in 1951 won by Max Faulkner, and in 2019 won by Lowry. A number of subtle adjustments have been made since 2019. According to Martin Ebert, who oversaw changes, the seventh hole has been extended to make it harder to hit over the bunker on the right, and the fourth has a new back tee.
What is the weather forecast?
After a heatwave and sun last week, unfortunately rain is set to come at Portrush. Some showers and light rain are expected each day, with temperatures of about 18 to 19 degrees. At least it's not expected to be the washout that it was Sunday of 2019, with the hope that some sunny spells will break through. Sunday is expected to have the most wind, reaching 18km/h.
Can you get tickets?
This year's tournament is a complete sell-out with capacity expanded to accommodate 278,000 spectators at Dunluce Links over the week, making it the largest championship staged outside St Andrews. Tickets on resale may be available to One Club Members on the Open website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
4 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
GAA to face awkward DJ Carey decision during Sunday's All-Ireland Hurling final
GAA organisers will have to make an awkward decision regarding DJ Carey before Sunday's All-Ireland final with the 2000 All-Ireland winning Kilkenny team set to be honoured. As is tradition, the victors from 25 years ago return to Croke Park on the day of the All-Ireland final with each panel member's name read out individually while they are invited to receive applause from the Croke Park crowd. The ceremony, which takes place before the game, will typically mention those in attendance. DJ Carey was part of that 2000 winning team and was named Man of the Match for his performance on the day. However, the GAA have been left with the headache as to whether to announce Carey as part of the Jubilee Team or not. The five-time All-Ireland winner recently pleaded guilty to 10 counts of defrauding a number of people out of money while pretending he had cancer. The 10 counts Carey pleaded guilty to involved a total of 13 complainants, including Denis O'Brien, Owen and Ann Conway, Mark and Sharon Kelly, Aidan Mulligan, Tony Griffin and Christy Browne, Thomas Butler, Jeffrey Howes, Noel Tynan and Edwin Carey. Given that Carey is now awaiting sentencing for the charges, GAA organised are now in the unenviable position of deciding if they are to break from tradition by excluding a member during the Jubilee announced, and it is highly unlikely that Carey will attend the honours. Carey made his debut for Kilkenny in 1988 and played up until 2006 and undoubtedly goes down as one of the game's greats. Carey won 10 Leinster Senior Championship medals to go along with his five All-Ireland titles as well as four league titles and a Player of the Year gong in 2000. The ex-Kilkenny forward also collected nine All-Star awards during his career, trailing only Henry Shefflin with 11. Cork and Tipperary meet in this Sunday's All-Ireland final with throw-in set for 3.30 pm.
Irish Times
25 minutes ago
- Irish Times
No flies on us as we look forward to new views of the Open
An air exclusion zone will be enforced around Royal Portrush for the duration of The Open – from 4.30am to 9pm every day – with the use of drones included in the order. The Police Service of Northern Ireland warned the public, 'if you are detected breaching this order and end up with a criminal record, your travel and career prospects will be negatively affected'. The order, however, doesn't apply to Sky Sports' use of drones for their extensive coverage of the championship, which will include a Spidercam that will supply aerial shots from the 18th green, alongside a number of other innovations. The four-point wirecam system will provide immersive experiences of play unlike any seen before in a live TV production for golf. Suspended above the 18th green, aerial views and unique angles will bring to life the natural undulations of the hole and short shots around the green before the greatest walk in golf is captured as the champion golfer of the year is crowned on Sunday. READ MORE During approach shots the Spidercam will be in a resting position behind the 18th green. Spidercam has been used widely in TV coverage of other major sports, including soccer, rugby and cricket in the UK and will complement existing technology, including a plane camera, aerial drones, bunker cameras and Toptracer, which has been introduced in recent years by The R&A and European Tour Productions to enhance live coverage of The Open. Francesco Molinari with the Claret Jug after winning the Open in 2018. Photograph: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images Donald plots US downfall Francesco Molinari has been brought on board as one of Luke Donald's vice-captains in Europe's bid to retain the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York in September. 'He knows how to win Ryder Cups, having been on three winning teams, and I think that's really important for us. We obviously have a tough task ahead of us trying to win away,' said Donald of drafting in Molinari to join his brother Edoardo, Thomas Bjorn and José María Olazábal in Europe's backroom team. Of that task facing Europe, Molinari admitted: 'You just have to look at the stats to see how difficult it is to win the Ryder Cup away from home. It hasn't happened that often recently, so it is a big challenge but it is a big opportunity to try to do something that, if it does happen, will be remembered for a long, long time.' Molinari's thoughts this week will be on being competitive in The Open, which he won in 2018. Since then, he has managed two top-15 finishes, tied-11th here at Royal Portrush in 2019 and tied-15th in 2022. Upswing in golfers A new report issued by the R&A to coincide with the 153rd Open has shown sustained growth of golf around the world, with 108 million adults and juniors playing across all formats of the sport in the governing body's affiliated markets, excluding the United States and Mexico. The research figures highlight total adult participation of 64.1 million – adult golfers playing one or more of the many formats of golf – an increase of 1.8 million since 2023, with simulator golf, adventure golf and driving range use included in the participation figures along with the traditional 9- and 18-hole on-course players. Mark Darbon, chief executive of The R&A, said: 'I am delighted to see participation continue to grow in our affiliated markets across the world, encompassing 148 countries. Over 100 million people playing golf in some format is significant and highlights the sport's sustained appeal. 'The growth in non-traditional formats such as driving ranges, adventure golf and simulator golf, is helping drive participation among adults and juniors on a global scale while on-course activity also remains very popular. By the Numbers: 1 Pádraig Harrington will have the honour of hitting the opening tee-shot in Thursday's first round of the championship. The Dubliner won two Claret Jugs in back-to-back years, in 2007 at Carnoustie and 2008 at Royal Birkdale. He is the current US Senior Open champion. One payback for getting to hit the opening tee shot – which Darren Clarke performed in 2019 – is a very early alarm call for the 6.30am tee time. Word of Mouth 'In the last two weeks I've played Portmarnock, The Island, Baltray, Waterville, Hogs Head and Adare Manor. So, I've played some of the best courses we have in the country. I went and I parked myself down in Waterville last week, and I spent the week down there. I played golf every day, played a lot of golf. The weather was almost too good, that was the issue. There wasn't enough wind. The sun was shining too much and it was too warm. But it's been an amazing couple of weeks. 'I haven't been home to Ireland since Christmas, so I've been home for the last three weeks. I've had a nice time being back home, and I kind of feel a little bit rejuvenated and ready to go again. I've had a busy season, and it's about to be another kind of busy next three or four months, as well. I feel like I'm ready to go again' – Shane Lowry on playing bucket-list golf in returning to the scene of his great win in 2019. Social Swing Current forecast for The Open at Portrush: heavy, possibly thundery showers lurking for Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. But when the sun breaks through? Near 20 – BBC weatherman Barra Best giving the bad and good news. A very enjoyable week at #genesisscottishopen As always the hospitality from The Renaissance Club and @DPWorldTour was first class. The course is really maturing into a great venue. Looking forward to getting a few more good breaks like the 7-iron below @TheOpen – Pádraig Harrington , with a video clip of a kind bounce and near hole-in-one. Fun week in Spain. Great to get the team win for @LegionXIIIgc and captain @JonRahmOfficial. See you soon Portrush – Tyrrell Hatton , who is likely to be a strong contender given his past wins on links terrain. In the Bag: Chris Gotterup (Genesis Scottish Open) Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) 5-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 Utility iron: TaylorMade RSi TP UDI (1) Irons: Bridgestone 220 MB (4-9) Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (46 and 52 degrees), TaylorMade MG Proto (56 and 60 degrees) Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Tour Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X Mindset
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
'We all have our roles' - Donegal's long-serving point-scoring machines remain pivotal
IN THE 44TH minute of yesterday's All-Ireland semi-final, a Donegal attack into the Davin End goal culminated with a scoring flourish being applied. It was a typical team move, possession transferred at high speed with the ball-carrier constantly supported by clever angles of running from team-mates. And it was rounded off by the team's talisman hooking a close-range shot over the bar. Michael Murphy reigstered his sixth point of the game with that kick and Donegal's 15th. With Oisin Gallen having broke the Meath resistance for the opening goal two minutes previously, Donegal were eight clear and firmly in command. The Donegal support cheered jubilantly when Murphy pointed, just as they did for every other contribution he had made in the game, and then they rose in acclaim a minute later when the fourth official board went up to signify number 14 was being withdrawn. Murphy, Donegal's leader, was replaced by Patrick McBrearty, Donegal's captain, who would go on to notch three points and ensure his fingerprints were all over Donegal's attacking output for the remainder of the game. In that change, Donegal illustrated the range of attacking options they possess and the depth they can tap into in their panel. Jim McGuinness spoke afterwards about how it 'had been a hell of a long road back' from the misery of their defeat at this stage of the championship last year at the hands of Galway. At the time in his immediate reflections on their second-half fadeout in that game, McGuinness touched on the need to begin the process of improvement on the bus home to the north-west that evening. Advertisement After their destruction of Meath, the Donegal manager revisited that topic and stressed the increased strength of their panel had facilitated the transformation from two-point semi-final losers in 2024 to twenty-point semi-final winners in 2025. All year Murphy has offered reminders why the decision was made for him to return to the demands of the inter-county game last November, two years after his retirement. Murphy and Donegal have slipped back into a comfortable relationship, and in the county's quest to reach the All-Ireland showpiece forn the first time in 11 years, and only the fourth time in their history, his role was of fundamental importance. Two minutes into a match, which was bristling with anticipation beforehand as the expectant fanbases whipped up a storm, Murphy posted the opening score, gathering a ball on the loop and kicking confidently between the posts. Meath got a couple of lifts that underdogs require, a Ruairi Kinsella point here, an Eoghan Frayne point there, to edge into a slender lead. Nine minutes in and Donegal get a free within two-point range. Facing into a Hill 16 packed with a baying Meath mob, Murphy blocked out the noise and strode up before slotting the shot that prompted the waving of an orange flag and the restoration of Donegal's scoreboard advantage, 0-4 to 0-3. They never trailed again for the remainder of the game. The opening period provided snapshots of Murphy's immense value. The winning of the break off a Meath kickout that paved the way for Ryan McHugh's 12th minute point. Nailing the 28th minute free after Oisin Gallen was fouled. Getting on the end of Donegal's last move of the half that unlocked the Meath defence, but seeing his left-foot blast fly over rather than under the crossbar. Murphy was the last Donegal player to jog out of the tunnel to take up position for the start of the second half. He only last nine minutes, but added another score, before being withdrawn. The timing of the exit seemed unusually early, but despite murmurs of an ankle knock, McGuinness was quick to quell such talk. If the focus was to rest up ahead of the final date with Kerry, it was understandable. A couple weeks out from his 36th birthday and 13 years after lifting Sam Maguire as captain, his value to the Donegal cause is simply immense. His array of gifts – fetching kickouts, converting frees, clipping scores from play, directing offensive operations – make him indispensable for Donegal. The addition of Murphy to the attacking mix meant someone else was going to lose out. Once news of his comeback filtered through, the intrigue lay in how Donegal would get the chemistry right in their inside forward line. Patrick McBrearty has been the focal point for years. Oisin Gallen was an All-Star last year and fired 1-2 yesterday. Conor O'Donnell is in the All-Star conversation this year and bettered Gallen's tally with his 1-3 return. There is a dilemma in how to fit them all in. Right now the solution Donegal have settled on is holding McBrearty in reserve. For a forward of his experience and talent, along with the status of captain, it's not an easy position to get accustomed to. He hit the ground running yesterday, emerging from the bench to join a dominant Donegal team. In the 47th minute he snappily exchanged handpasses with Shane O'Donnell, gliding clear before sweetly striking over a point in that familiar kicking style. He replicated that finish for another point seven minutes later, moments after sharply releasing the ball to Peadar Mogan who rushed through to point. McBrearty's third score arrived on 57 at the close of another pacy team move and a minute later he shaped to shoot before laying off to Jason McGee, watched the ball travel to Gallen and in to Conor O'Donnell who booted home their third goal. The impact of McBrearty was glaringly evident and yet will it be persuasive enough to secure him a starting jersey for the final? 'You have three lads who are flying there,' summarised McBrearty afterwards. 'We all have a role in the team and my role at the minute is just coming in off the bench and it's to lift the energy in the lads in the last 15 minutes to blast it out. I came in with 20 or 25 minutes to go and try to move the bus up forward. We all have our roles and trying to get on the ball and getting shots off and just carrying the can. 'It's a big difference than starting the games. I came in a really, really good time today. We had just scored the goal and we had a big wave of momentum and just coming in and trying to work hard.' Related Reads Jack and David have decided that this state of affairs will not do. At all. McBrearty has enough games stockpiled to absorb the wisdom of how roles can change. He started the 2012 final win over Mayo, came on as a sub in the 2014 decider against Kerry and bagged two points. The years since have been frustrating and disappointing. 'When we left here 2014, I didn't think it would be 2024 until we reached our next semi-final. We massively, massively underachieved from '14 to '24 basically, in our eyes. When Jim came back, standards were raised back to where they were and we're just delighted to be back here, but you know they were a barren couple of years. 'We were winning Ulsters, teams were tipping us to go on and win All-Irelands and we couldn't do on the big days. Getting this man back obviously for that and getting back to days like this two weeks is gonna be massive.' There are only two playing survivors now at the disposal of McGuinness from the magical breakthrough Donegal enjoyed in 2012. Whether pressed in from the start or sprung from the bench, Murphy and McBrearty will be pivotal characters again on Sunday week. *****
