All you need to know ahead of The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
When is The Open?
The 153rd Open is the third of the four men's Major Championships and will take place from Thursday, July 17 to Sunday, July 20.
There are four official practice days held from Sunday through to Wednesday, across when players will also face the world's media, in the lead up to the tournament getting under way on Thursday.
Where is it being held?
Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland is one of the world’s leading courses and the only Irish layout to host The Open. The Dunluce Links – one of two Championship courses at the site along with the Valley Course – shares an impressive North Atlantic backdrop with views of Scotland and Donegal.
This marks the third time The Open has been hosted at this renowned coastal links course, following previous stagings in 1951 and 2019, and just the third occasion the championship is contested outside Scotland and England.
Shane Lowry won The Open when it was last held at Portrush six years ago.
The R&A has revealed that a record-breaking 278,000 fans will descend on the seaside town of Portrush – the biggest attendance in the history of the championship outside of St Andrews.
How many players are in the field?
The 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush will have a field of 156 players.
There are 28 categories for qualification, with the remaining spots taken from those successful through qualifying events.
There were 44 places available to qualifiers, with 24 of those through The Open Qualifying Series, which culminated at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open.
The other 20 were allocated to players who sealed their spot at Final Qualifying.
Who is playing?
Hometown favourite Rory McIlroy and fellow Major Champion this season Scottie Scheffler headline a stacked international field looking to win the coveted Claret Jug.
To see the full field list, click here.
Who is the defending champion?
Xander Schauffele won his second Major Championship of 2025 at The 152nd Open as a flawless 65 saw him break free from a congested leaderboard and earn a two-shot victory at Royal Troon.
By doing so, he became the first player to win two Majors in the same season since Brooks Koepka in 2018, and also the third American winner of the Claret Jug in the last four editions.
England's Justin Rose and American Billy Horschel were the nearest challengers after rounds of 67 and 68 respectively, one clear of South Africa's Thriston Lawrence.
What is the format?
As with the other three Major Championships, the tournament is decided over 72-hole stroke play with 18 holes a day over four days, weather permitting.
Each player has one morning and one afternoon tee time over the first two days, in groups of three.
The final two rounds are generally played in groups of two, with last place going off first and the leaders going out last.
How many players make the cut?
The cut at the Open is made after the second round is fully completed, as the top 70 players and ties go on to face two more rounds.
What does the winner receive?
Among the benefits enjoyed by The Open winner are:
• The Claret Jug
• The Gold Medal
• Title of ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’
• Entry to all future Open Championships until the age of 55
• Five-year exemptions to The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Players Championship
• Automatic invite to three of the five senior Majors once the player turns 50, with a one-year invitation to the US Senior Open and a lifetime invitation to the Senior PGA Championship and Senior Open Championship
What is also at play for DP World Tour members?
There are a total of 10,000 Race to Dubai ranking points to be played for, with 1,665 going to the winner assuming they are a DP World Tour member.
With this year's Ryder Cup at Bethpage drawing ever nearer, there are also 5,000 Ryder Cup points on offer as hopefuls for Luke Donald's European side bid to bolster their chances of qualification, with the winner earning 835.
How can I watch it?
The 153rd Open will be televised in 199 countries and territories, enabling golf fans to watch the world’s best players compete for the Claret Jug.
Sky Sports has broadcasting coverage of The Open in the UK.
For specific broadcast timings of all territories please check your local listings.
