Why Every Golfer’s Talking About the 2025 Open at Royal Portrush
- MyGolfMattersUK
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
The countdown is on for the 153rd Open Championship, set to return to the spectacular links of Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland from July 17–20, 2025. It’s more than just another major – it’s a high-stakes homecoming, a clash of the golf titans, and a true test of every skill the game demands.
Whether you’re a weekend golfer in Berkshire, a seasoned player in Hampshire, or just someone who loves the game, this year’s Open offers valuable lessons and inspiration to help elevate your own performance.
Rory McIlroy Returns Home with a Point to Prove
All eyes will be on Rory McIlroy. After finally claiming the green jacket at Augusta earlier this year to complete the career Grand Slam, he now has the chance to win The Open in his home country – something no modern-era golfer has achieved.
Rory has spoken about how much Royal Portrush means to him, and the pressure (and support) of the Northern Irish crowd will make this one of the most emotionally charged weeks of his career. Expect fireworks.
A Star-Studded, Cross-Tour Field
The 2025 Open isn’t just about Rory. The field is packed with elite talent from both the PGA and LIV circuits, including:
Scottie Scheffler – Still world number one and consistently dominant tee-to-green.
Xander Schauffele – Fresh off his first major win at the 2024 PGA Championship.
Brooks Koepka & Jon Rahm – LIV players with something to prove on the biggest stage.
Shane Lowry – A former Open champion at Royal Portrush, looking to repeat the magic.
Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland & Cam Smith – Fan favourites with serious links pedigree.
The tension between LIV and PGA players continues to simmer, and The Open will once again put that rivalry front and centre.
Why Royal Portrush Will Test Everything
Royal Portrush is a masterpiece of links golf. Redesigned for the 2019 Open and now stretching to over 7,300 yards, it combines natural beauty with brutal difficulty.
The key features to watch for:
Calamity Corner (16th hole) – A 236-yard par 3 that can wreck a scorecard in seconds.
Dunluce Links – Named one of the most beautiful and punishing layouts in the world.
Unpredictable weather – Gusty winds, sudden squalls, and firm, fast fairways mean no two rounds play the same.
This is golf at its rawest – and most rewarding.
What You Can Learn from The Open
Every year, The Open serves as a free masterclass in world-class golf. Here’s what to look out for – and how to apply it to your own game:
Trajectory Control Is EverythingLinks golf forces players to keep the ball low and work the shape of shots. Practise with a purpose – understand how to hit fades, draws, low punches, and stingers.
Course Management MattersWatch how pros avoid trouble and position themselves on the safest side of the hole. Stop always aiming at the flag – start playing smarter, not just harder.
Embrace Bad Lies and BouncesOn links, bad luck is inevitable. The best players don’t dwell on it – they adapt. That mindset shift alone can save you shots.
Short Game Saves ScoresExpect plenty of bump-and-run chips, creative flops, and clever lag putts. If your short game is weak, now’s the time to prioritise it.
Want to Train Like the Best?
You don’t have to fly to Portrush to start improving. At My Golf Matters in Wokingham, we bring world-class tools and training into your everyday game. Our TrackMan 4 simulators replicate links-style conditions and let you:
Play virtual rounds at Royal Portrush, St Andrews, and over 450 other courses
Practise with purpose using real-time ball and club data
Get tailored coaching from PGA-qualified professionals
Improve your shot shaping, distance control, and on-course decision-making
Whether you’re prepping for your next round or working toward a personal best, what the pros do at The Open can – and should – influence your practice.
Ready to take your game more seriously this summer?
📍 Based in Wokingham, Berkshire
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