Royal Portrush hosts The Open for a third time after 1951 and 2019

McIlroy Paired With Fleetwood as Open Championship Tee Times Confirmed

Rory McIlroy begins his bid for a second Open Championship title at 15:10 BST on Thursday, 17 July, in a marquee group alongside England’s Tommy Fleetwood and America’s Justin Thomas.

The 2025 Open at Royal Portrush promises high drama, with star-studded groups confirmed for the opening two rounds.

Key Opening Round Pairings

06:35 – Padraig Harrington (Ire), Nicolai Hojgaard (Den), Tom McKibbin (NI)
09:58 – Jon Rahm (Spa), Xander Schauffele (US), JJ Spaun (US)
10:09 – Shane Lowry (Ire), Collin Morikawa (US), Scottie Scheffler (US)
14:48 – Bryson DeChambeau (US), Robert MacIntyre (Sco), Justin Rose (Eng)
15:10 – Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Rory McIlroy (NI), Justin Thomas (US)

Defending champion Xander Schauffele tees off at 09:58, while former winner Shane Lowry follows him in a group featuring world number one Scottie Scheffler and 2021 champion Collin Morikawa.

Two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington has the honour of hitting the opening tee shot at 06:35.

Round Two Highlights – Friday, 18 July

10:09 – Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas
09:47 – Bryson DeChambeau, Robert MacIntyre, Justin Rose
15:10 – Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler

Royal Portrush last hosted The Open in 2019 when Lowry lifted the Claret Jug in front of a raucous Irish crowd.

Can McIlroy End His Major Drought?

McIlroy’s last major victory came at the 2014 PGA Championship. With his game in fine form this season, hopes are high he can end an 11-year wait and add a second Open to his glittering resume.

The Northern Irishman will have to navigate tough competition and potentially challenging coastal conditions on the Portrush links.