The 153rd Open Championships kicks off on Thursday, July 17, with the best golfers in the world competing to take home the last Major of the year. Rounds one and two will have 156 players before the halfway cut for the final two rounds. From the 70 that are left, only one man will be lifting the Claret Jug on Sunday, July 20.
Last year’s winner, Xander Schauffele, is back to defend his title, which will be taking place at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland this year. Last time The Open was at Royal Portrush, Ireland’s Shane Lowry hoisted the Claret Jug above his head in 2019. They will both be amongst the contenders to watch for this year’s title, but many other big names will push them all the way.
Below, we look at some of the big contenders and some of the best British hopes to win The Open Championship this year.
The Open Favourites
The favourite to win is world number one, Scottie Scheffler. The American has had a stellar year again, already winning the PGA Championship and hopes to add another major to his haul. His main rival should be the hometown favourite, Rory McIlroy. The man from Holywood in Northern Ireland is ranked number two in the world and will be hoping to add another major to his maiden Masters victory this year. He will be buoyed by his performance at The Scottish Open last week, finishing a tied second, and will hope that momentum carries into The Open.
Many people are backing LIV Golf’s Jon Rahm for this year’s Open Championship. The Spaniard has been lagging in the Majors since his move to LIV Golf; however, this year, he started to head towards the top of the leaderboards again. He has had good performances at The Open too, registering three top-10 finishes in his last four appearances, with a T2nd and T3rd in those four starts.
Those are the top three picks according to bet365, and a dangerous few names following them, too. Xander Schauffele will be at it again, and so will his compatriot Bryson DeChambeau. Tommy Fleetwood is on the same odds as those two, and the Englishman will be hoping to break his Major’s duck and finally be a Major Champion. He came close in 2019, finishing second but was six shots off Shane Lowry that year.
Lowry is also a big contender to repeat his 2019 feat. The Irishman believes he is a better golfer than he was back in 2019, but did acknowledge to Sky Sports that it doesn’t mean he’s going to win again.
An outside chance to win The Open this year is Scotsman Robert MacIntyre. The 28-year-old won the Scottish Open in 2024, but could not repeat that accomplishment this year, finishing 17 shots behind the winner, Chris Gotterup. Despite not his best performance, MacIntyre has had an amazing rise over the past few years and for many is a Major winner of the future. Maybe that future is now.
Odds on The Open winners
*according to bet365
Scottie Scheffler: 5/1
Rory McIlroy: 13/2
Jon Rahm: 11/1
Bryson DeChambeau: 22/1
Tommy Fleetwood: 22/1
Xander Schauffele: 22/1
Ludvig Aberg: 25/1
Shane Lowry: 25/1
Tyrell Hatton: 25/1
Robert MacIntyre 28/1
Viktor Hovland: 28/1
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.
Where to watch
The Open will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK. If you would like to read more about how you can watch, you can do so through our other article here.