The 2025 Open Championship Tees Off at Royal Portrush
The 153rd Open Championship begins Thursday at 1:35 a.m. ET at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
Xander Schauffele returns as the defending champion, while Shane Lowry last triumphed on this course in 2019. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 2 Rory McIlroy—winners of two of this season’s three majors—lead a stacked field aiming for the Claret Jug.
All eyes will be on the top contenders: Can the favorites hold strong? Will any long shots emerge? And how will Royal Portrush’s challenging links test the world’s best over the next four days?
McIlroy’s Homecoming Storyline
Rory McIlroy arrives with history within reach. After winning the Masters in April to complete the career Grand Slam, McIlroy now seeks to capture an Open title on home soil. The Northern Ireland native grew up playing Royal Portrush and returns in top form, with two PGA Tour wins this season and a runner-up finish at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open.
Thursday marks his second shot at an Open title here, backed by thousands of local fans hoping to see him
lift the Claret Jug at home.
How to Watch the First Round
Coverage of the opening round begins early Thursday morning:
- TV Coverage:
- USA Network: 4 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET
- Streaming on Peacock:
- Round 1 Coverage: 1:30 a.m. – 4 a.m. ET
- Par-3 Channel: 3 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET
- Featured Groups: 4 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET
- All Access Coverage: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
Thursday Tee Times (ET) – Round 1 Highlights
- 1:35 a.m. – Padraig Harrington, Nicolai Hojgaard, Tom McKibbin
- 2:19 a.m. – Phil Mickelson, Daniel van Tonder, Ryan Peake
- 4:25 a.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Ryan Fox, Matt Fitzpatrick
- 4:47 a.m. – Sam Burns, Aldrich Potgieter, Brooks Koepka
- 4:58 a.m. – Xander Schauffele, J.J. Spaun, Jon Rahm
- 5:09 a.m. – Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler
- 10:10 a.m. – Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood
- 9:59 a.m. – Jordan Spieth, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland
- 9:48 a.m. – Robert MacIntyre, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose
- 10:21 a.m. – Harris English, Nick Taylor, Tony Finau
A full list of tee times is available for fans eager to follow every group as they battle through the storied links of Royal Portrush.
