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With qualifying having finalised which 156 players will be swinging their golf clubs this month, the competition is fast approaching. Like the Masters and the US Open across the pond, one of the most interesting features of the British Open is the fact that both amateurs and professionals can qualify, meaning it’s anyone's game. There is even an award for the best-placed amateur called the Silver Medal, won last year by 20-year-old Calum Scott.
The favourite to win at the time of writing is American Scottie Sheffler, a three-time major winner and the current world number one. The crowd will be well and truly behind Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy however, who climbed his own version of Everest when finally achieving a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April. He won the Open at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and is the current second favourite at the time of writing, though it's worth noting that he missed the cut when the Open was last here six years ago.
Others at the top of the market include two-time major winner Jon Rahm, who finished joint second at Royal Liverpool two years ago, while last year’s winner Xander Schauffele and fellow American Bryson DeChambeau complete the top five in the betting. Fans looking to place a wager will find plenty of competitive odds and offers across top betting sites as the tournament approaches.
With the unpredictable UK weather and a highly technical course, this year's British Open will be sure to offer a whirlwind on the greens.
The Open Championship 2025: Quick Facts
| 📅 Date | Thursday 17th July 2025 - Sunday 20th July 2025 |
| ⌚ Time | First round starts at 6:30 AM on Thursday |
| 📍 Location | Hosted at Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| 📋 Format | 72-hole competition divided into four rounds |
| 🏆 Last Year Champion | Xander Schauffele, finishing nine under par |
The Open Championship 2025: Players and Their Odds of Winning
As you’d expect for a major, the golf betting is fiercely competitive at the time of writing, with plenty of the frontrunners likely to fancy their chances. We’ve taken a detailed look at the top five contenders in the British Open odds for you below.
Scottie Scheffler
We don’t know if you’ve heard, but Scotty the Sheriff is a pretty big deal in golf right now. At this point, you can’t escape the current world number one, a position he has held for over 100 weeks. He has three major championships stuffed in his golf bag, and we reckon he wants to add a few more to a collection which currently consists of two Masters titles in 2022 and 2024, followed by a PGA Championship this year.
Considered to have the most dominant ball strike in professional golf since Tiger Woods, we wouldn’t be surprised if Scheffler casually drops that into every conversation as a subtle flex.
After an already successful 2025, plenty will fancy Scheffler to continue his winning streak with the coastal scenery of Royal Portrush as the backdrop. William Hill has him as the current 4/1 favourite to win, but will the infamous Calamity Corner 16th hole cause him to crumble under the pressure?
Rory McIlroy
Having become just the sixth man in history to complete the golfing Grand Slam in April, it’s perhaps to be expected that McIlroy would experience a bit of a lull in form. With that in mind, where better to build up momentum again than on home turf? This Northern Irish sensation is a five-time major champion and having missed the cut here in 2019, he will be keen to make amends this time around.
McIlroy usually proves to be popular in the betting and Kwiff Sportsbook has him as the second favourite at the time of writing, something which probably factors in the power of playing on a home golf course. McIlroy's blend of length, precision, and adaptability to link conditions makes him a great candidate for a successful weekend at Royal Portrush.
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Jon Rahm
A recent winner of both the US Open (2021) and the Masters (2023), you can never count out the Spanish golfing legend. With 24 career titles under his belt, he will undoubtedly be at the top of plenty of betting shortlists.
A runner-up at Royal Liverpool in 2023, where he set a course record, Rahm had a season to forget last year but he has been ticking along nicely on the Saudi-owned LIV golf tour of late, hitting the frame on several occasions. He was tied for seventh at last year’s Open at Royal Troon and he can’t be discounted at around 15-1 with Matchbook.
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Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau, nicknamed ‘The Scientist’, plans on mixing up the chemistry as he goes into his seventh British Open. An American golfer who is part of the LIV Golf League, he is renowned for having one of the longest drives in golf. Even as an amateur, he had a drive that would wipe the smile off Happy Gilmore’s face.
A two-time US Open winner, DeChambeau is very much at his best on home soil, with his best finish in the British Open being tied for eighth back in 2022. He was victorious in a LIV event in Korea in May, though it can’t be ignored that he missed the cut here in 2019 and certainly has something to prove.
You can never rule out someone with such an impressive range, and Interwetten have placed DeChambeau to have 18.00 victory bets as the tournament winner of the British Open.
Xander Schauffele
The reigning champion returns to the British Open this year in hopes of retaining his crown. Last year proved to be a vintage one for Schauffele, winning two majors, and plenty will fancy him to add to his haul here.
It’s been a tricky year so far for the American, finishing in the top 10 just once, though promising displays in both the Masters (tied for eighth) and the US Open (tied for 12th) give hope that he can deliver his A-game at another major.
Schauffele has been in the mix in each of the last five renewals of this tournament and was two over par when tied for 42nd here in 2019 - meaning it would be no surprise should he be in the mix once again.
In terms of how he’s looking going into the weekend, Tonybet is offering 20/1 odds of Schauffele walking away with that first-place trophy. I hope he has been polishing his trophy from last year, just in case it looks a little bit dusty next to a brand-new one.
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Expert's Opinion
The 2025 Open Championship is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years. With the tournament heading back to Royal Portrush, we can expect some seriously tough conditions along the coast, with the area being notorious for unpredictable weather. What makes this year especially exciting is the mix of rising stars and seasoned pros, all gunning for the Claret Jug. The Open has always had its own unique character, and in 2025, we could be in for a real masterclass in links golf. I can't wait to see how this event unfolds!
FAQs
Where can I watch the British Open?
Irish viewers can watch the British Open live on Sky Sports Golf. The action will kick off at 6:30 AM on Thursday.
What is the British Open Golf Tournament?
The Open Championship is the oldest golf tournament in the world and one of the four major championships in professional golf. It has no fixed venue and instead, takes place at various prestigious golf courses around the UK.
How does qualification for The Open actually work?
For the Open Championship, players can qualify in four different ways: an exemption, in the Open Qualifying Series (OQS), through local qualifying, or if the number of players hasn't reached 156, the spot will be offered to highly-ranked players who haven't qualified yet.
What happens if there's a tie after 72 holes?
Players in a tie after 72 holes will compete in a four-hole playoff, and the player with the lowest score is declared the winner. If any players are still in a tie after the four-hole playoff, they will continue in a hole-by-hole, sudden-death format until the winner is declared.
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Matthew is our resident golf betting expert! He's been a content writer for the past seven years.
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