The Open: Royal Portrush Course Guide

The 153rd Open Championship will be played at Royal Portrush Golf Club, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, starting on Thursday 18th July 2025.

This will be the third time the course has hosted the tournament, after Max Faulkner’s two-shot victory over Argentina’s Antonio Cera in 1951, and Shane Lowry’s unforgettable six-shot success in 2019.

The Dunluce Links is a 7,381-yard, par-71 test and there will be plenty of things for players to think about as they look to have a successful tilt at winning the Claret Jug in the final men’s Major of the year.

The fairways and greens are set to be firm after a significant period of dry weather in recent weeks. Plenty of false fronts at the greens will inevitably cause frustration, and it is not the sort of course that players can dominate off the tee, even though there are a few opportunities for the big hitters to cut corners on doglegs.

Iron play looks set to be key on the Northern Ireland track, especially if winds off the Atlantic pick up and provide another consideration.

Hole 1 - Hughie - 420 yards, par 4

This doesn’t look an opportunity to let rip with the driver as hopefuls are set to lay up short of the bunker on the left side of the fairway. Reaching the green by avoiding the false front and the deep bunker on the left will then become the priority with any score better than par likely to be a massive bonus.

Hole 2 - Giant’s Grave - 575 yards, par 5

Avoid one of the four fairway bunkers and reaching the green in two on the first par-five should be a straightforward assignment for players of this level. The undulating green could catch out a few, but solid drivers should have the shots to play with once they get to the putting surface.

Hole 3 - Islay - 176 yards, par 3

This may look straightforward with only one green to negotiate, but steep slopes surround the green so finding the centre of the putting surface is advised regardless of where the pin is on the first short hold of the assignment.

Hole 4 - Fred Daly’s - 502 yards, par 4

Trouble is to be found on both sides, whether it is out of bounds on the right and bunkers on the left, so the fourth is all about accuracy. Avoiding the sand hills around the green will also be key on one of the course’s toughest holes, so many players will be delighted to walk off with a par four.

Hole 5 - White Rocks - 372 yards, par 4

Finally, the big hitters will be able to let rip here as the green should be in range, but there has to be a hint of caution as there is out of bounds beyond the putting surface so it is not a risk-free tactic. A potential eagle will entice plenty to have a go, but we could see lots of double-bogeys too if it all goes wrong.

Hole 6 - Harry Colt’s - 193 yards, par 3

The second par-three of the course is bunkerless, but the green has a deep false front and narrows significantly at the rear which means a shot to the heart of the putting surface is probably the safest option, so it could pay not to get too greedy in search of a birdie.

Hole 7 - Curran Point - 607 yards, par 5

This hole was the toughest of the three par fives when Lowry came out on top six years ago and finding the bunker down the right can cause all sorts of trouble. A drive on the fairway can still provide the opportunity to reach the green in two even though it measures more than 600 yards, but the drive is key, so not everyone is likely to go for it.

Hole 8 - Dunluce - 434 yards, par 4

A key decision has to be made on the eighth tee. The choice revolves around whether to take on the dogleg or lay up behind the fairway bunkers, but a drive to the left can lead to all sorts of trouble. Just one bunker protects the green but there will be much for the players to ponder as the turn beckons.

Hole 9 - Tavern - 432 yards, par 4

The key to the final hole of the front nine will be avoiding the heavy rough on the right and the bunkers on the left. Taking an iron off the tee may not be a bad idea and there will be run off areas around the green that will have to be avoided.

Hole 10 - Himalayas - 450 yards, par 4

Cutting across the dogleg is unlikely to be an option as it is protected by sand banks, so a drive down the left will give players the best view of the green, which is narrow and undulating.

Hole 11 - PG Stevenson’s - 475 yards, par 4

Members get to play this hole as a par five and it was the toughest of all 18 six years ago. Trouble on both sides of the fairways makes it an intimidating tee shot, but cutting the corner can bring its rewards as the fairway widens after that. An accurately assessed approach shot is required to avoid the false front.

Hole 12 - Dhu Varren - 532 yards, par 5

The hole that follows was the easiest hole in 2019 and provides an excellent birdie chance before the demanding closing holes. It will be essential, however, for players to avoid the bunkers on the right, because if they do end up in trouble there they could see their opportunity slip away.

Hole 13 - Feather Bed - 199 yards, par 3

Emiliano Grillo claimed a hole in one on the 13th last year, but it can be a difficult to assess as its strength and direction of the wind can have a huge bearing on club selection. Nine bunkers around the green can also trouble the strongest of mindsets, so there could be plenty of drama to be had here..

Hole 14 - Causeway - 466 yards, par 4

Another test where it is essential that the bunkers on either side are avoided from the tee. The approach is also demanding as the green which falls away from the left, front and back so the approach is particularly demanding.

Hole 15 - Skerries - 429 yards, par 4

This par-four has one of the course’s most generous fairways and doglegs from right to left. The second shot will be downhill to the green which slopes severely to the right and front, with bunkers on the left.

Hole 16 - Calamity Corner - 236 yards, par 3

The signature hole is a tough par three where there were only 24 birdies over the four days of the 2019 tournament. Anything short of the green can find thick rough and the elevated putting surface is exposed.

Hole 17 - Purgatory - 409 yards, par 4

The green is driveable as the fairway slopes significantly downhill, but the tee shot is blind and deep bunkers lie in wait close to the green on both sides. Those opting to put faith in their short-game skills may receive greater rewards, but it will be interesting to see what happens if the tournament is tight in the closing stages.

Hole 18 - Babington’s - 474 yards, par 4

Out of bounds to be avoided on the left on this challenging closing hole and thick rough and bunkers lying in wait for those who go too far right. A steep drop-off to the left and a deep bunker on the right could have a role to play in any late drama.