The wait is over, the fairways are primed, and Royal Portrush is once again the stage for the oldest and some say grandest major in golf. The Open 2025 got underway yesterday, bringing with it a mouthwatering mix of storylines, star power, and one homecoming that might just rewrite golf history.
Xander Schauffele arrives in Northern Ireland as the defending champion, grouped with newly crowned US Open winner JJ Spaun and Spain’s Jon Rahm, who’s looking to bounce back into form. Early risers were also treated to world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler on the course bright and early, hoping to add another Claret Jug to his expanding collection.
But let’s be honest much of the buzz centres around Rory McIlroy.
Just months after completing the career grand slam with a dramatic playoff win at Augusta, McIlroy now eyes something even rarer: winning both the Masters and The Open in the same year, a feat last accomplished by Tiger Woods in 2005. Only eight players in history have pulled it off. Rory’s aiming to be the ninth.
Yet this one hits different.
While finally slipping into the green jacket was a lifelong dream, McIlroy has admitted that this week’s Open – being held just 60 miles from his hometown of Holywood – was the real emotional target of 2025.
“When I was looking at the calendar for 2025, this was probably the tournament that was circled, even more so than the Masters,” said the five-time major winner. “It’s lovely to be coming in here for a major. I’m excited with where my game is. I feel like I’m in a good spot.”
Despite middling finishes at the PGA (T47) and U.S. Open (T19), McIlroy has a chance to make this already historic season legendary – and doing it on home turf would be the ultimate cherry on top.
Throw in Open legends, rising stars, and unpredictable links conditions, and we’re all teed up for a cracking championship weekend. Grab the waterproofs and settle in – this one’s going to be special.
