The Championship That Started It All

Here we are, folks. The final major of 2025, and arguably the most romantic one of them all. The Open Championship – or as the Brits properly call it, “The Championship” – isn’t just another tournament. This is where golf began its journey into the modern era back in 1860 at Prestwick. We’re talking about the Claret Jug, the most iconic trophy in golf, older than the Masters green jacket, more historic than the U.S. Open trophy, and carrying more tradition than the PGA Championship’s Wanamaker Trophy.

This year’s battlefield? Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the same course that delivered Shane Lowry’s emotional triumph in 2019. The winds will howl, the rough will punish, and the links will separate the true champions from the pretenders. This isn’t about bomb-and-gouge golf – this is about chess on grass, where course management trumps raw power and mental fortitude matters more than your swing coach’s latest tweak.

Why This Open Matters More Than Most

The stakes couldn’t be higher. For some, it’s about completing career grand slams. For others, it’s about proving they belong among golf’s elite. And for a select few, it’s about cementing legacies that will echo through St. Andrews’ ancient halls for generations. The winner doesn’t just get a trophy – they become the “Champion Golfer of the Year,” a title that carries weight in every corner of the golf world.

The Magnificent 10: Our Picks to Hoist the Claret Jug

1. Scottie Scheffler – The Inevitable Force

The world No. 1 has been on a tear that defies logic. Since The Players Championship, he hasn’t finished outside the top 10 in any tournament. That’s not human – that’s video game stuff. His recent Scottish Open performance showed he’s figured out the links puzzle, dominating from tee to green despite some putting hiccups. The rain-softened greens at Royal Portrush should cure those putting woes, and when Scheffler’s flat stick cooperates, he’s virtually unbeatable. He’s the shotmaker of all shotmakers, and links golf rewards creativity over cookie-cutter swings.

2. Jon Rahm – The Sleeping Giant

Rahm is dangerously close to his 2023 Masters-winning form, and that should terrify everyone else in the field. His recent LIV Golf Valderrama performance in his native Spain showed he’s locked in mentally. The Spaniard has shown up when it matters most in the last five big tournaments, and his links golf resume is stellar. When Rahm gets that look in his eyes – you know the one – bad things happen to leaderboards. He’s hunting for his second major, and the motivation is palpable.

3. Rory McIlroy – The Homecoming King

The Northern Irishman returns to Royal Portrush as a completely different player than the one who struggled here in 2019. Fresh off his Masters victory earlier this year, McIlroy’s game is in sublime order, evidenced by his runner-up finish at the Scottish Open. His mental state seems refreshed, and his recent media sessions suggest he’s at peace with himself. Playing in front of his home crowd with the weight of expectation could either crush him or propel him to glory. Given his current form and renewed confidence, I’m betting on the latter.

4. Viktor Hovland – The Perfectionist’s Moment

The Norwegian has been quietly building something special. His iron play remains among the best in the world, and his driver – which he famously criticized at the U.S. Open – has shown marked improvement. Hovland knows how to grind out results in majors without his A-game, and ironically, he’s approaching his peak at the perfect time. His temperament suits links golf, where patience and precision matter more than flash. If his short game cooperates, he could be holding the Claret Jug come Sunday.

5. Xander Schauffele – The Defending Champion’s Burden

The reigning Champion Golfer of the Year has been strangely quiet this season, which might be exactly what he needs. Schauffele has made five top-20 finishes in seven Open starts, proving he understands the links test. His biggest issue? The putter. But defending champions have a funny way of finding their form when it matters most. The pressure is off in some ways – he’s already proven he can win The Open. Sometimes that freedom is exactly what a player needs.

6. Tommy Fleetwood – The Eternal Bridesmaid

The Englishman has been knocking on the door for years, and his consistent Open Championship performances (four top-12 finishes in his last six) suggest he’s got the links formula figured out. His iron play and putting have taken significant steps forward in 2025. Fleetwood knows Royal Portrush intimately after his runner-up finish in 2019, and sometimes familiarity breeds confidence, not contempt. He’s due for a breakthrough, and there’s no better stage than his home Open.

7. Collin Morikawa – The Precision Artist

The 2021 Champion Golfer of the Year knows exactly what it takes to win this tournament. Morikawa’s combination of accuracy off the tee and surgical precision into the greens is perfectly suited for Royal Portrush’s demands. With Billy Foster on the bag – one of the most experienced caddies in links golf – he’s got the local knowledge and tactical expertise to navigate these treacherous conditions. Sure, he’s coming off his first individual missed cut in over a year, but champions have a way of bouncing back when it matters most. His track record in bad weather might be questionable, but his mental fortitude isn’t.

8. Shane Lowry – The People’s Champion

The 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year returns to the scene of his greatest triumph. Lowry’s recent Open form has been stellar – four top-21 finishes in his last four starts after a rough patch. He knows every blade of grass at Royal Portrush, and the emotional support from the crowd could provide the extra boost he needs. Champions have a funny way of finding their best golf when they return to their winning venues.

9. Russell Henley – The Steady Hand

Henley might be the most underrated player in this field. His recent form has been excellent with three straight top-10 finishes, including a strong showing at the U.S. Open. His breakout performance at last year’s Open (T5 at Royal Troon) proved he’s figured out the links equation. The uglier the conditions get, the more Henley thrives. He’s the kind of player who wins majors when everyone else is struggling to survive.

10. Matt Fitzpatrick – The Rising Tide

The Englishman possesses the clearest upward trajectory in golf right now. Three straight top-20 finishes, including a T4 at the Scottish Open, suggest he’s finding his peak form at the perfect time. His methodical approach and precision ball-striking are perfectly suited for Royal Portrush’s demands. Sometimes major championships are won by players who peak at exactly the right moment – and Fitzpatrick’s timing looks impeccable.

The Final Word

The Open Championship doesn’t just crown a winner – it creates legends. This year’s field is stacked with players capable of joining golf’s immortal pantheon. Whether it’s Scheffler continuing his dominance, McIlroy capturing hearts in his homeland, or a dark horse stealing the show, one thing is certain: Sunday’s final round will be appointment television.

The Claret Jug awaits its next custodian. Who will step up when the winds howl and the pressure mounts? That’s the beauty of The Open – you never know until that final putt drops.