Golf expert Sia Nejad has revealed his Open Championship 2025 picks and PGA best bets for Royal Portrush, beginning Thursday, July 17

Rory McIlroy will hope his rollercoaster ride at Royal Portrush does not continue into the weekend as he clings on to hopes of an Open victory.Mistakes mixed with brilliance saw him complete a round of 69 to sit three under par,

The simplest one is to wager on the in-form golfers, a list led by Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy may get the nod over Scheffler in some circles this week because he's playing on home soil at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

The final major of the golfing year takes place this week as the Open Championship takes place at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland – with Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood both teeing off

Tyrrell Hatton: The LIV Golf member played well in the U.S. Open with a tie for fourth and he tied for sixth in the British Open at Royal Portrush in 2019. Hatton also had a solid Masters (tie for 14th) and will be a bulldog if he's close to the lead on Sunday.

The 153rd Open Championship starts at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland, on Thursday, and Sky Bet are offering Racing Post readers an enhanced Rory McIlroy offer for the first round. New Sky Bet customers can back McIlroy to make a birdie in the first round at 40-1 .

What time does Rory McIlroy tee off at The Open today? Day two start times, how to watch and latest odds - Masters champion has put himself in title contention on home turf in Northern Ireland

But nobody should ever mistake artificial intelligence for being sappy. USA TODAY Sports canvassed five major AI programs seeking their predictions for the 2025 Open Championship winner and top sleeper picks. The majority went with the pre-tournament favorite, Scottie Scheffler, who is seeking his first Claret Jug.

Those anxious souls in the grandstands, gazing on their hero below, inched forward in their seats—an almost imperceptible lean, telegraphing their anxieties. They held a collective breath as the club drew back,