In the height of their imperial expansion, the Roman Empire conquered most of Europe, the middle East and North Africa. They were a tide of power and control that no soul seemed to be able to stop. They consumed cultures and made it their own, and in the process many civilisations lost their identities.
However, there were a select few who fought, a select few who held their own against the might and size of Rome, a select few whom Rome was unable to subdue. These include the north of Scotland and the island of Ireland. Ironically, the home of golf and the Open Championship.
The Open Championship in many ways represents the ideals of these warriors – in a world that’s windswept by the empire of American sports and it’s consume-all culture. A world that tries to make the most money it can, as fast as it can.
However, just like the Roman legions at the borders of Scotland, or the Irish Sea. The American tide halts at the dunes of courses like St. Andrews and Royal Portrush, leaving the spirit of links golf and the tradition and beauty that comes with it. Unconquered.
Royal Portrush, the host of the 153rd Open Championship. Perched on Ireland’s rugged coast, it echoes the cries of the past. A past where the roars of Irishmen Shane Lowry blended with the locals of the land in 2019.
And now, the Championship returns, it stands again as a fortress for the encroaching empire. On fairways sculpted by wind and time, the game remains raw and untamed, as the Open should be.
At Royal Portrush, the dunes rise like ramparts, the greens deterrents, the sea crashes against the gates of its cliffs, as if a cry of battle. Although, all who play there know, it is more than a cry, it is a reminder to all who play here, that the land is the opponent.
Here, at Portrush, similar to the ancient lands that once deterred Roman rule, the golf remains pure. It’s spirit of resistance living on. Every player who walks these fairways knows, this is golf in its truest form.
In the golf course. In the tournament. In the crowd.
Player Previews
Defending Champs: Xander Schaufele & Shane Lowry
Xander Schauffele has quietly pieced together a solid season, despite the wrist injury that delayed his start. His T8 finish at the Scottish Open suggests he’s peaking at the right time.
His win last year at royal Troon boasted a particularly impressive final round 65 proving he has what it takes to handle links golf, a skill not every American possess. He currently sits at 25/1.
Shane Lowry, the 2019 champion here, returns to a course where his name is etched in history. His short game remains magic, and with similar rain and wind forecasted this week, Portrush may play right into his hands once more. 33/1
The 3 Musketeers: Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun
Rory McIlroy returns to Portrush having reached golfing immortality completing the career grand slam in April. Claiming this is the event he had circled on the calendar this year, his MC in 2019 lingering in memory, but no more than the course record 61 he shot at age 16 in the North of Ireland Amateur. On the back of a second place finish in Scotland, the bookies have him at 7/1.
Scottie Scheffler can never be overlooked. Despite his limited experience playing links golf, the world number one aims to take one step closer to his own career grand slam this week at Portrush. His stellar consistency over the past few seasons has the entire field fearing him heading into every tournament, this week will be no different.
A solid performance last week at the Scottish Open, finishing T8 at -9 for the week, is sure to have him feeling as confident as ever. Shane Lowry won The Open 2019 by 6 shots with a strokes gained score of 5.14. Scottie’s average strokes gained this season is 3.2. If Scottie shows up with an above-average game this week, he will have a great chance. He sits at 4/1.
J.J. Spaun is having quite the breakthrough season. With a runner-up at The Players Championship to Rory McIlroy in a playoff, and of course his first major win at Oakmont, he has shown consistent form, recording 5 top 10s and producing nearly half of his total career earnings. Could be a value pick off the lesser fancied mark of 80/1.
European Favourites: Tommy Fleetwood, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland
Tommy Fleetwood has had a few close calls on tour this year. Most notably coming up agonisingly short at this year’s Traveller’s championship after holding the 54-hole lead. He has delivered 4 top 10’s this year and finished T34 last week at the Scottish open amongst a strong field. Fuelled by close calls and memories of finishing runner-up to Shane Lowry here in 2019. Can Tommy grab his Major breakthrough this week? He’s at 25/1.
The Young Swede Ludvig Aberg aims to follow in his fellow countryman Henrik Stensons footsteps win a win at the open this week. With 4 top 10s this season and a win at the Genesis Invitational he might be one to watch out for. However, it’s been a mixed bag in the majors for Ludvig, an MC in the PGA Championship, and US open this year he’s at 28/1.
Viktor Hovland aims to be Norway’s first major champion. A decent season, backed up with a T3 finish at the U.S. Open showcasing an impressive scrambling display and a top-11 finish last week in Scotland, might be enough to turn some heads
. We believe if he shows up with a gamer driver off the tee, usually his Achilles heel, he can go deep in this championship. 30/1
American Favourites: Bryson DeChambeau, Keegan Bradley, Collin Morikawa
Fan favourite and the current face of LIV golf Bryson DeChambeau aims to add another major to his tally this week. With a win at LIV Riyadh in February and strong performances in windy conditions at LIV Andalucía and Miami, as well as strong major performances with top 5 finishes in the masters and PGA championship. Only doubts would be his long brawny games response to the windy conditions. Could he rise to the top this week? 20/1.
USA Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley finds himself in great form this season. A win at the Travellers championship in June with a birdie on 18 to seal a stunning victory over Tommy Fleetwood and eight top 25 finishes gives the 39-year-old a solid shout at this year’s Open. An outside shot for sure, but with the question of whether to choose himself for the Ryder Cup, Keegan qualifying on points is important. The Open provides double points for Ryder Cup positions. Keegan is at 80/1.
The 2021 champion golfer of the year Collin Morikawa is looking to win his second Open Championship this week. An unconvincing Scottish open last week and a winless drought since late 2023 might raise a few eyebrows but Collin has proved he can perform under the lights on a links course. A fresh link up with legendary caddy Billy Foster; who once looped for Seve Ballesteros and more recently guided Matt Fitzpatrick to his Major triumph at the Country Club in 2022, may be the spark he needs…. 30/1.
Written by
E. Clarke & E.J Ganaza
15/7/25
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