The Open Championship 2025 at Royal Portrush: Match Date, Start Time, Odds and How to Watch This Weekend

As we roll into the heart of July, the spotlight of the sporting world swings sharply onto Northern Ireland’s north coast, where the 153rd Open Championship is set to tee off on Thursday, 17 July. The first group will be out on the links bright and early at 6.35am UK time, meaning fans will need to be up at the crack of dawn – or just skip sleep entirely, depending on how serious they take their majors.

This isn’t just another dot on the sport event calendar – it’s a major sporting event this weekend with real weight, carrying the final chapter of golf’s major season. Royal Portrush, that wind-swept beast of a course, is the stage once again. For those wondering how to watch live, Sky Sports will be offering full coverage, kicking off from 6.30am on Thursday and Friday, and from 9am over the weekend. Online options? Sky Go and Now TV have got your back. So, where to watch the match is sorted, whether you’re on your sofa or hiding under your desk at work pretending to look busy.

Betting Preview and Latest Odds

Now, let’s talk numbers – or more precisely, let’s talk William Hill numbers. When it comes to latest betting odds, there’s one name perched at the top: Scottie Scheffler, who’s currently a 5-1 favourite. Not a huge surprise considering he’s won three times since May. But let’s not pretend he’s some kind of links wizard – his past efforts on British soil have been more shaky than solid. Still, form is form.

Then comes the local obsession, Rory McIlroy. His odds sit at 11-2 with William Hill, and while he’s undoubtedly a global superstar, Portrush has some ghosts for him. Remember 2019? Locals certainly do. Missed the cut and crushed the country. But after a runner-up finish in Scotland recently, some dare to believe redemption’s on the cards. Even William Hill are getting sentimental, offering an exclusive 150-1 boost for new punters backing Rory – not exactly subtle, is it?

Following close behind is the ever-reliable Jon Rahm at 12-1, a man who’s quietly garnered punter interest without much flash. Solid, dangerous, and very much in the hunt. Behind him, there’s a logjam of players around the 20-1 mark including Tommy Fleetwood, Bryson DeChambeau, Shane Lowry, Ludvig Åberg, and Xander Schauffele. Any of them could pop up and snatch this.

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Rematch of Men and Wind

If you’ve never seen Royal Portrush in action, imagine trying to play chess during a hurricane. Gusts, rain, and a crowd that cheers like it’s a football match – all while trying to nail a five-foot putt. It’s savage. And glorious. Shane Lowry knows all about it. He lifted the Claret Jug here before, but recent form has been shaky. Still, at 20-1, he’s the romantic’s pick. A sort of soggy, Irish fairytale redux.

On the opposite end of the hype spectrum sits Robert MacIntyre, priced at 22-1, who has quietly become a very interesting outsider. Runner-up at the US Open and a decent record here in 2019 means he’s not just here for the Guinness. That’s more than can be said for some of the lads heading into the rough by the second hole.

Defending champ Xander Schauffele, meanwhile, has seen some serious backing. He’s now into 20-1, trimmed from 28-1 earlier in the week. There’s not a lot of buzz around him, which might just be the perfect way to sneak in and ruin everyone else’s party. The man’s built for this.

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Best Bookmakers Deals For This Event

Dark Horses Lighting Fires

There’s always one. Or three. Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland, both lurking at 22-1, have got the tools – and possibly the temperament – to thrive in this coastal chaos. And if you’re a punter looking for a laugh and a long-shot, Jacob Skov Olesen has rocketed from a ridiculous 400-1 to 150-1 – maybe it’s madness, or maybe Portrush likes a wildcard. Either way, he’s caught attention.

Let’s not forget Marco Penge and Aaron Rai, both sliding into view at 66-1 and 80-1 respectively. Don’t bet the mortgage, but if you fancy a story to tell, those prices could get interesting.

What Could Go Wrong? The Weather.

Royal Portrush without wind is like Wimbledon without strawberries – not right. Expect showers, blustery spells, and the kind of breezes that can send golf balls into orbit. Particularly brutal holes like the infamous 14th and 16th could turn any leaderboard into spaghetti. The mental game here is everything. Just ask Shane Lowry, who once said you just have to “take it on the chin.” Good luck with that, pal.

Course Drama and Championship Stakes

This isn’t just about prize money, though the $3.1 million for the winner out of a $17 million pot would ease anyone’s stress. It’s about championship implications – the final major, the last chance for 2025 glory, and a venue that gives no second chances. It’s a chessboard made of quicksand, and the players know it.

Want real tips? Don’t trust the noise. Trust your instincts – and maybe the rain clouds. For full betting tips and predictions, click here.

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Questions & Answers

Where is the event taking place?
The Open Championship 2025 will be contested at Royal Portrush Golf Club, an iconic venue tucked along Northern Ireland’s wild Atlantic coast. The course is as unpredictable as it is stunning.

How to watch live?
You can catch the full tournament on Sky Sports, with coverage starting 6.30am on Thursday and Friday, and from 9am across the weekend. Streaming is available via Sky Go and Now TV.

What time does the match start?
The first tee-off is set for 6.35am UK time on Thursday, 17 July, so early birds will catch more than just worms – they’ll catch history.

Who is the favourite to win?
According to William Hill, Scottie Scheffler leads the market at 5-1, followed closely by Rory McIlroy at 11-2. Jon Rahm rounds out the top three at 12-1.

Are there any underdog chances worth watching?
Definitely. Robert MacIntyre at 22-1, Jacob Skov Olesen now at 150-1, and Xander Schauffele at 20-1 all present value depending on how the weather plays out and who keeps their head when Portrush comes calling.

Is this the last major of the year?
Yes – this is the closing chapter of the major golf season, a tournament with enormous title clash implications and the power to redefine legacies.

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