Royal Portrush Prepares for The Open 2025
The Dunluce Course at Royal Portrush will stage The Open from 17 to 20 July 2025, marking only the third championship held on this rugged Northern Irish links since 1951, following its celebrated return in 2019.
A Layout Shaped by Land and Wind
Carved through towering dunes, the par-71 routing stretches roughly 7 380 yards and features dramatic elevation changes that force players to flight shots into swirling coastal gusts. Despite the imposing terrain, the course defends itself with just over sixty bunkers the fewest on any Open rota venue relying instead on natural contours, deep swales, and unforgiving rough.
Calamity Corner Sets Nerves on Edge
The signature par-3 sixteenth, known as “Calamity Corner,” demands a carry across a steep ravine to a plateau green perched in the wind. Miss right and the ball disappears into a chasm; bail left and recovery remains far from simple.
Player Reactions
Two-time major winner Bryson DeChambeau summed up the challenge in one word diabolical adding that driver control in crosswinds will decide fortunes next July. His assessment echoes the sentiments of many who battled the layout in 2019 and left respecting its ability to punish even slight errors.
Why the 2025 Edition Matters
- Rare Venue – Only St Andrews and a handful of classics draw comparable anticipation when they reappear on the schedule.
- Revamped Holes – Subtle changes since 2019, including extended championship tees, promise fresh strategy debates.
- Weather Wildcards – North Atlantic breezes can swing leaderboards within minutes, keeping spectators on edge throughout the championship.
What to Watch
- Opening Nerves – The first tee shot borders internal out of bounds on both sides, immediately testing discipline.
- Mid-Round Stretch – Holes 4 through 8 weave through dunes and offer both birdie chances and disaster potential.
- Closing Drama – From Calamity Corner to the uphill eighteenth, every swing will feel like match point.
Golf fans should prepare for four days of relentless tension on a layout that rewards imagination and punishes hesitation. With the world’s best set to duel amid coastal winds and cinematic scenery, The Open 2025 at Royal Portrush could deliver another chapter for the ages.
