Let’s go to Northern Ireland, where the final major of the season lands us at Royal Portrush—a stunning venue tucked into the coast, framed by gorse, dunes, and the occasional “oh yeah, we’re playing golf in July, not February” breeze. It’s a classic Open test—only this time, the weather doesn’t seem all that interested in participating, and that’s kind of a letdown.
As of now, we’re not getting the gusty winds or sideways rain that typically turn Open weekends into survival trials. Sunday might even play… normal.
Still, Portrush brings its own challenge. It’s tight, positional, and more strategic than it is punishing. You don’t need to send missiles off the tee—just hit your windows and let the iron play shine. In short: this place demands brains, not brawn. Get out of position here, and you’re not hitting a miracle recovery—you’re pitching sideways and hoping your 9-iron spin can save the hole.
Course Fit: What Wins at Royal Portrush?
Let’s cut to the skillset that matters:
Accuracy off the tee: Driver’s mostly holstered. Guys who thrive with fairway woods, hybrids, and positional plays will have a major edge.
Full-bag iron play: You’re hitting everything from 5-irons into par 3s to knockdown wedges from 100. Versatility matters.
Mid-range putting: The greens are slower than Tour norm, and you’ll face plenty of testers in the 6–12 foot range. Bring the broom.
Comfort in links terrain: Even without 40mph gusts, the turf is firm-ish, the bounces are weird, and the views are confusing. It’s still links golf.
Strokes Gained: Caddy: This is not a paint-by-numbers course. You need smart targets and smarter misses.
2025 Open Championship Bets
Scottie Scheffler – Top 5 Finish (+140)
The chalk play—but it’s chalk for a reason. Scottie’s game checks every box here. He’s played positional golf better than anyone in the world for two years now. And after walking Portrush, it’s clear: this isn’t a “blast it and wedge it” week—it’s about strategy, accuracy, and control. In other words, it’s Scheffler Golf™. While the outright odds don’t move the needle at 6/1, the Top 5 bet at +140 gives you that sweet equity without praying for another soul-snatching putt Sunday evening.
Jordan Smith – Top 20 Finish (+900)
If stats won majors, he’d be a household name. Smith is $5,900 on DFS sites for a reason—he doesn’t win. But he gains. And gains big. One of the best pure ball strikers on the planet right now, and when you adjust for field strength and discount courses where length matters, he rises even more. If this turns into a chess match with damp turf and not much roll, Jordan Smith can absolutely sneak into the top 20. At 9/1, you’re betting on elite tee-to-green consistency. The kind that travels.
Hideki Matsuyama – Outright Winner (+10000)
Hideki, but make it strategic. Sure, the driver’s been erratic. But that’s kind of the point—this is the major where you can get away with it. Hideki’s irons have been ridiculous in recent starts, gaining over +6 SG APP in two of his last four events. He doesn’t need to nuke it here but he surely needs to play fairway-to-green chess, and few are better. At 100/1, it’s a ceiling play. And Hideki’s ceiling at the Open, with this kind of course setup, is as high as anyone’s.
Keegan Bradley – Outright Winner (+10000)
Don’t laugh. Hear me out. Keegan has no Open Championship track record. None. But you know who does have a good Portrush resume? No one. This is a unique test—and Keegan just popped at a near-identical layout, where positioning, mid-irons, and birdie conversion were king. He looked sharp on-site this week. Dialed with the irons, confident with the putter (weird sentence), and—dare I say it—he seemed to like the place. If he’s playing for a Ryder Cup spot, there’s motivation. If he’s rolling it with confidence, there’s a ceiling. And if the conditions remain tame, there’s a real chance he stays in it until the weekend. At 100/1, we’re lighting the fuse.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t your father’s Open Championship. There’s no sideways sleet. There’s no 7-club wind. And there’s no guaranteed winning formula outside of being smart, precise, and comfortable playing on uneven turf. Royal Portrush will reward those who think their way around the course. It’s Sawgrass with Irish accents. You don’t need to overpower it—you need to outmaneuver it. That’s why the card blends safe floors (Scottie), value poppers (Jordan), and a couple of spicy ceiling plays in Hideki and Keegan. No matter who lifts the Claret Jug, this one’s going to be won with patience, placement, and putting. In that order.
