| TV:<\/td> | NBC, USA Network<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n 2025 Open Championship Course Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nThe 153rd Open Championship <\/strong>returns to the dramatic Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush<\/strong>,\u00a0hosted from July 17\u201320, 2025<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nThis par-71 layout stretches approximately 7,380 yards<\/strong>, winding\u00a0 through rugged dunes, steep elevation changes, and panoramic coastal views. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nIts design, refined\u00a0by Harry Colt with modern touches, emphasizes classic links features: firm fairways, deep\u00a0bunkers, strategic pot hazards, and slick greens with treacherous run-offs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Signature holes like \u201cCalamity Corner\u201d (16th)<\/strong>, a 236-yard par-3 poised over a ravine, carry a\u00a0 reputation for wrecking scorecards, along with the treacherous 1st hole that can ruin a round just\u00a0 as it starts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nA series of finishing holes with blind tee shots, massive slopes, and severe bunkering\u00a0creates a nerve-testing conclusion to each round. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Players must combine precise iron play,\u00a0creative shot-making, and rugged course management to handle the tough routing and coastal\u00a0winds.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n The coastal weather this week looks changeable, with rain showers possible each day<\/strong>, adding\u00a0an element of unpredictability although not a lot of moisture if any. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nWind and damp conditions\u00a0will firm up the course quickly if rain comes, tightening fairways and activating the fast greens.\u00a0Even par may prove a strong score if the winds blow and the links run fast, but if the weather\u00a0holds to be nice, the score could get to double digits under par for the winner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n The field boasts\u00a0top contenders like Scottie Scheffler<\/strong>, Rory McIlroy<\/strong>, Jon Rahm<\/strong>, and defending champion\u00a0Xander Schauffele<\/strong>, but in true Open Championship fashion, surprises and breakthrough\u00a0 performances are always possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n**As of now the weather looks to be really good. Warm, not much wind, and very little rain in\u00a0the forecast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n 2025 Open Championship Favorite Holes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\nFavorite Hole: 1st Hole 416 Yard Par 4<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nOut of bounds on the left and right sides of the fairway make the tee shot treacherous to start the\u00a0 round, and there\u2019s massive trouble on the left side off the green with a deep bunker, and deep\u00a0rough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a short hole, but really difficult if not accurate off the tee, and it can set the tone\u00a0(good or bad) for the rest of the round. Great starting hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n 18th Hole Rating: 6.2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nPretty good finishing hole as it finished as the 3rd hardest hole in 2019. The drive has out of\u00a0bounds really close to the left side of the fairway, and dangerous rough on the right, and the\u00a0fairway gets very narrow, really quick so players might take iron or 3-wood off the tee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n The\u00a0green doesn\u2019t look too difficult, but run off areas make for some testy chips. On the surface, it\u00a0 doesn\u2019t look to difficult, but 2019 showed it can play hard and create some drama on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n 2025 Open Championship: Players That Can Trip You Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nScottie Scheffler <\/strong>is the betting favorite this week, but there are enough reasons to stay away at\u00a0this price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nHe\u2019s never finished better than 7th at an Open Championship and settled for 8th last\u00a0week at the Scottish Open\u2014not exactly dominant on links-style setups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n While he ranks 3rd in\u00a0total strokes gained over the last 30 days, his putting remains a concern, sitting outside the Top\u00a030 in that same span. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n At this number, you need near-perfection, and links golf just hasn\u2019t brought\u00a0out his best. He\u2019s a pass for us this week.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Shane Lowry <\/strong>is being heavily overpriced this week, largely due to his memorable win here in\u00a0 2019\u2014but that feels like a trap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nHe\u2019s missed the cut in both majors this year and has been ice\u00a0cold statistically, ranking outside the Top 50 in total strokes gained over the last 3 months\u2014 behind names like Kristoffer Reitan, Mattias Schmid, and Max Greyserman. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Despite the 2019\u00a0win, he\u2019s only recorded one Top 5 in Open Championships and has five missed cuts to his name.\u00a0At his current odds, there's zero value\u2014this is a hard pass.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Bryson DeChambeau <\/strong>has been in the spotlight lately, but this course is a poor fit for his power heavy game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nHe can\u2019t bulldoze his way around a layout that demands precision, patience, and a\u00a0sharp short game\u2014three areas that aren\u2019t his strengths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n He\u2019s missed the cut and finished 60th in\u00a0 his last two Open Championship appearances, and he also missed the cut here back in 2019. At a\u00a0venue where local knowledge and finesse matter most, Bryson is an easy fade this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Open Championship DraftKings Darlings\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nJordan Smith ($5,900) <\/strong>is a steal at this price with a rock-solid track record in big events. He\u2019s\u00a0missed just two cuts all year on the DP World Tour, made the cut at the U.S. Open, and followed that up with a strong 22nd-place finish at the Scottish Open\u2014proving he can handle links golf.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nHe\u2019s also made the cut in two of his last three Open Championship starts. At $5,900, Smith\u00a0offers rare stability and major experience at near basement pricing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Harry Hall ($6,400) <\/strong>is one of the most consistent value plays on the slate this week. He\u2019s made\u00a012 straight cuts and has finished inside the Top 40 in eight consecutive starts\u2014delivering steady\u00a0returns in both DFS and betting markets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nOver the last 3 months, he ranks 21st in the field in total\u00a0strokes gained, showing his all-around game is in great shape. At this price, you're getting a reliable performer with sneaky top-25 upside.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Matthew Fitzpatrick ($7,800) <\/strong>looks like a perfect blend of form, value, and pedigree heading\u00a0into this week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nHe\u2019s coming off back-to-back Top 10 finishes, including a 4th-place showing at\u00a0the Scottish Open, and his game is clearly peaking at the right time. A major winner with five\u00a0 straight made cuts at The Open, he knows how to navigate tough setups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n He also ranks 10th in the field in total strokes gained over the last 30 days. At $7,800, Fitzpatrick is one of the best all around plays on the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Rest Of Lineup: Jordan Smith $5900, Harry Hall $6400, Matthew Fitzpatrick $7800, Robert\u00a0 MacIntyre $9000, Xander Schauffele $9700, Jon Rahm $10,400<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n |
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