When Rory McIlroy arrived at Royal Portrush six years ago it was meant to be a glorious homecoming for Northern Ireland's most famous sportsman but his British Open hopes lasted only two rounds.

What makes the Barracuda Championship different from every other week? It's the only tournament on tour that does this, and it flips traditional stroke play on its head. In stroke play golf, one blow-up hole tanks your whole day.

In just 72 holes, a player can turn a somewhat-mundane season into a memorable one, a memorable season into a historic one and a historic season into one of an all-time great campaign. That's what is on the line this week at the 2025 Open Championship as Royal Portrush hosts the final major of the season in Northern Ireland.

In 2019, it was the first-ever sold-out Open. It was a hugely significant moment for Northern Ireland after a troubled past.

The weather played havoc at The Open in 2019 at Royal Portrush and could prove to be a decisive factor in who picks up the Claret Jug this year

Who will win the 153rd Open Championship? Our experts dive into all the twists and turns of the year's final major

The final men's major of the year is here, as the 2025 British Open Championship kicks off Thursday morning at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

Here’s the projected weather forecast for the 2025 Open Championship, which begins on Thursday morning at Royal Portrush in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The tournament gets going at 6:35 a.m. local time (1:35 a.m. ET), and it’s dicey whether we will get the full round of play in due to thunderstorms.

That distinction belongs to world No. 1 and reigning PGA champion Scottie Scheffler. Masters — and Grand Slam — champ McIlroy is a clear second choice, with Jon Rahm, who has three top-10s in his last four Open starts, third.

Golf's final major of the year is upon us, as the best players in the world return to Northern Ireland's Royal Portrush for the 153rd playing of the Open Champi

Royal Portrush Golf Club is home to a beautiful links-style layout for players to contend with this week, but its unique design is presenting quite a challenge