Open Golf Championship 2025 Tips

The 153rd Open Championship begins on Thursday at Royal Portrush in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland and it promises to be another enthralling battle for the coveted Claret Jug.

Portrush will be staging this Major for the third time in total and the first since Shane Lowry's memorable victory in 2019, when the Irishman overcame treacherous conditions in the final round to triumph by six strokes.

World number one Scottie Scheffler has been installed as the 5/1 favourite to win this tournament for the first time, with Rory McIlroy just behind in the betting at 13/2.

Open Championship Tips

Ryan Fox to win and each-way @ 50/1 with Boylesports

Tom McKibbin to win and each-way @ 80/1 with Boylesports

Laurie Canter to win and each-way @ 150/1 with Boylesports

BoyleSports Betting Offer

Fox to take Major step

New Zealand's Ryan Fox has shown a liking for links golf in his career, notably winning the 2022 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and then finishing tied-second on his title defence 12 months later.

The 38-year-old's best Open finish came at Portrush in 2019 when he ended up in a share of 16th position and he returns six years later as a more accomplished player, having made his mark on the US circuit.

Fox broke his PGA Tour duck at the Myrtle Beach Classic in May this year, beating Harry Higgs and Mackenzie Hughes in a play-off, before he then overcame Sam Burns in extra holes to land the RBC Canadian Open in June.

Boasting plenty of power, Fox also has a deft touch on and around the greens and he looks set for a positive week in Northern Ireland that could produce a first Major win.

Open Championship Tip 1: Ryan Fox to win and each-way @ 50/1 with Boylesports

McKibbin to delight home crowd

Of the home hopefuls in the field this week, Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin looks ready to make a statement in what will be just his fourth Major start and second crack at the Open.

The 22-year-old, winner of the 2023 European Open, raised eyebrows when switching to the LIV tour in January this year, just at a time when he had earned a PGA Tour card after a strong season on the DP World Tour.

But McKibbin has gone about his business nicely on the Saudi-backed circuit, with his tied-fourth finish at Andalucia last week his second top-five result in a row.

The Belfast-born star is eighth in greens in regulation and 10th in scrambling on the LIV tour, two areas that could prove crucial to success, and it would be no surprise to see him in the mix come Sunday.

Open Championship Tip 2: Tom McKibbin to win and each-way @ 80/1 with Boylesports

Big names take on Royal Portrush.@mastercard | #InsideTheOpen pic.twitter.com/5WzOfLEBZh

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 15, 2025

Canter to make his mark

Another player looking to make their Major breakthrough is Englishman Laurie Canter, who is solid from tee-to-green and could contend if he has a decent week with the putter.

The 35-year-old did have a short spell on the LIV circuit from 2022 to 2023 before then coming back to the DP World Tour, a return that has since produced European Open glory in June last year and a Bahrain Championship success in February 2025.

Canter has shown solid form in the lead-up to the Open, posting a T7 at the BMW International Open and then a T34 at the Scottish Open last week.

The world number 71 was dialled in with the irons at the Renaissance Club and that strong approach play gave him plenty of opportunities to make birdies, but unfortunately the putter was a little cold.

If Canter shows any improvement with the flat stick, then a first Claret Jug could be heading his way.

Open Championship Tip 3: Laurie Canter to win and each-way @ 150/1 with Boylesports