THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

2025 British Open at Royal Portrush: Hole-by-Hole Preview

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July 14, 2025

An aerial view of the 373 yards par 4, 10th hole ‘Himalayas’ with the 8th green (left) and the 6th and 5th greens behind on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 04, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon for R&A via Getty Images)

2025 British Open Course Royal Portrush Hole 10 Himalayas — An aerial view of the 373 yards par 4, 10th hole ‘Himalayas’ with the 8th green (left) and the 6th and 5th greens behind on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 04, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon for R&A via Getty Images)

The 153rd Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Links in Northern Ireland, a challenging par-71 course measuring approximately 7,383 yards.

Known for its dramatic dunes, clifftop views, and exposure to Atlantic winds, the layout demands accuracy, strategy, and resilience.

Below is a hole-by-hole preview, highlighting key challenges and strategies.

Hole 1: Hughie’s (Par 4, 420 yards)

An aerial view of the 362 yards par 4, 1st hole ‘Hughies’ on the Dunluce Links looking back towards the clubhouse at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 04, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon for R&A via Getty Images)

Demanding opener with internal out-of-bounds on both sides; players often lay up short of the left fairway bunker (about 290 yards out) to avoid trouble.
Uphill approach to a green with a false front and deep left bunker; two-putting can be tricky due to contours, making par a solid start.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 6th, Avg score: 4.192 (+0.192)
2019 Scoring: 41 Birdies, 315 Pars, 81 Bogeys, 16 Doubles, 5 Others

Hole 2: Giant’s Grave (Par 5, 575 yards)

An aerial view of the 536 yards par 5, 2nd hole ‘Giant’s Cave’ on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 05, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

Narrow fairway with four bunkers (three right, one left) and out-of-bounds right; accuracy off the tee is crucial.
Reachable in two for most if fairway is found, crossing three bunkers; contoured green offers birdie chances but played 0.323 under par in 2019.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 17th, Avg score: 4.675 (-0.325)
2019 Scoring: 7 Eagles, 180 Birdies, 234 Pars, 30 Bogeys, 6 Doubles, 1 Other

Hole 3: Islay (Par 3, 176 yards)

An aerial view of the 155 yards par 3, 3rd hole ‘Islay’ with the 455 yards par 4, fourth hole ‘Fred Daly’s’ behind on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 05, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

Elevated tee with views to Scotland on clear days; single bunker, but steep slopes around the right-to-left sloping green make up-and-downs tough.
Aim for the center regardless of pin to avoid bogey; club selection key in wind.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 14th, Avg score: 2.974 (-0.026)
2019 Scoring: 71 Birdies, 329 Pars, 57 Bogeys, 1 Double

Hole 4: Fred Daly’s (Par 4, 502 yards)

An aerial view from behind the green of the the 455 yards par 4, fourth hole ‘Fred Daly’s’ on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 04, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon for R&A via Getty Images)

Lengthened since 2019, honoring the 1947 winner; out-of-bounds right and two left bunkers demand precise drive.
Approach complicated by sand hills obscuring views, especially to back-left pins; stroke index one for members, expect tough pars.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 5th, Avg score: 4.201 (+0.201)
2019 Scoring: 40 Birdies, 304 Pars, 98 Bogeys, 15 Doubles, 1 Other

Hole 5: White Rocks (Par 4, 372 yards)

A view of the 375 yards par 4, 5th hole ‘White Rocks’ on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 05, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

Short risk-reward hole drivable for big hitters, yielding eagles and birdies in 2019 but also doubles; out-of-bounds behind green adds peril.
Picturesque with coastal views; played slightly under par last time.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 15th, Avg score: 3.882 (-0.118)
2019 Scoring: 4 Eagles, 111 Birdies, 297 Pars, 33 Bogeys, 8 Doubles, 5 Others

Hole 6: Harry Colt’s (Par 3, 193 yards)

An aerial view of the 185 yards par 3, 6th hole ‘Harry Colt’s’ on The Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 05, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

Clifftop tee over beach; no bunkers but false front and deep swales guard the green.
Front and back pins challenge differently; under-hit shots roll off, requiring carry all the way.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 10th, Avg score: 3.085 (+0.085)
2019 Scoring: 48 Birdies, 330 Pars, 74 Bogeys, 5 Doubles, 1 Other

Hole 7: Curran Point (Par 5, 607 yards)

An aerial view from behind the green on the 552 yards par 5, 7th hole ‘Curran Point’ on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 05, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

Debuted in 2019; elevated tee to valley with right bunker; uphill second through narrowing fairway with rough.
Accurate shots can yield eagles/birdies, but errors punished; wide scoring range expected.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 16th, Avg score: 4.871 (-0.129)
2019 Scoring: 11 Eagles, 128 Birdies, 242 Pars, 70 Bogeys, 6 Doubles, 1 Other

Hole 8: Dunluce (Par 4, 434 yards)

A general view of the 434 yard par 4 8th hole, Dunluce, at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Portrush, Antrim, as the course prepares to host The 153rd Open Championship in 2025. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy for Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Another 2019 addition; steep left drop-off is deadly; choose to lay back or cut dog-leg with driver.
Green guarded by right bunker and hollows; left side poses main threat on approach.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 9th, Avg score: 4.107 (+0.107)
2019 Scoring: 1 Eagle, 61 Birdies, 297 Pars, 87 Bogeys, 11 Doubles, 1 Other

Hole 9: Tavern (Par 4, 432 yards)

An aerial view of the par four ninth hole (L) and the par four 11th hole on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 05, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

Gentle left bend, often into wind; bunkers right, rough left—many use fairway wood/iron for accuracy.
Run-offs on green; right side popular for approaches, closing the front nine strongly.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 7th, Avg score: 4.172 (+0.172)
2019 Scoring: 43 Birdies, 303 Pars, 103 Bogeys, 8 Doubles, 1 Other

Hole 10: Himalayas (Par 4, 450 yards)

Dog-leg left-to-right with sandhills blocking cuts; aim left for best approach view.
Long, narrow, undulating green tests putting; complex start to back nine.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 13th, Avg score: 3.983 (+0.017)
2019 Scoring: 81 Birdies, 311 Pars, 59 Bogeys, 7 Doubles

Hole 11: PG Stevenson’s (Par 4, 475 yards)

An aerial view of the 472 yards par 4, 11th hole ‘P.G. Stevenson’s’ on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 04, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon for R&A via Getty Images)

Toughest in 2019 (more bogeys than birdies); intimidating tee with rough/sandhills; fairway opens right.
Elevated green with false front repelling shorts into valley; par a relief.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 1st, Avg score: 4.352 (+0.352)
2019 Scoring: 41 Birdies, 249 Pars, 141 Bogeys, 21 Doubles, 6 Others

Hole 12: Dhu Varren (Par 5, 532 yards)

An aerial view of the 536 yards par 5, second hole ‘Giant’s Cave’ (right) and the 499 yards par 5, 12th hole ‘Dhu Varren’ (left) on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 04, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon for R&A via Getty Images)

Easiest in 2019; birdie chance with sloping fairway to right bunkers.
False front and hidden right stream; score here before tough finish.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 18th, Avg score: 4.664 (-0.336)
2019 Scoring: 8 Eagles, 188 Birdies, 216 Pars, 42 Bogeys, 4 Doubles

Hole 13: Feather Bed (Par 3, 199 yards)

An aerial view of the 165 yards par 3, 13th hole ‘Feather Bed’ with the 360 yards par 4, 17th hole ‘Purgatory’ behind at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 05, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

Downhill to exposed green with five bunkers; played near par in 2019.
Wind affects club choice; front-to-back slope adds difficulty.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 12th, Avg score: 3.011 (+0.011)
2019 Scoring: 1 Eagle, 65 Birdies, 324 Pars, 64 Bogeys, 4 Doubles

Hole 14: Causeway (Par 4, 466 yards)

An aerial view of the 386 yards par 4, 14th hole ‘Causeway’ on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 05, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

Lengthened pre-2019; bunkers threaten tee shot, fairway cambers left.
Hog’s back green falls away; deep left bunker below surface.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 2nd, Avg score: 4.349 (+0.349)
2019 Scoring: 34 Birdies, 255 Pars, 150 Bogeys, 14 Doubles, 5 Others

Hole 15: Skerries (Par 4, 429 yards)

A view of the 370 yards par 4, 15th hole ‘Skerries’ on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 04, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon for R&A via Getty Images)

Generous fairway but uphill tee, right-to-left dog-leg.
Downhill approach to small green with severe slopes and left bunkers; accuracy essential.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 8th, Avg score: 4.109 (+0.109)
2019 Scoring: 69 Birdies, 281 Pars, 98 Bogeys, 9 Doubles, 1 Other

Hole 16: Calamity Corner (Par 3, 236 yards)

An aerial view of the par 3, 16th ‘Calamity Corner’ on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 05, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

Iconic tough par-3; miss right/short tumbles into rough abyss.
Elevated green yields few birdies (only 24 in 2019); aim long-left.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 3rd, Avg score: 3.247 (+0.247)
2019 Scoring: 24 Birdies, 305 Pars, 122 Bogeys, 6 Doubles, 1 Other

Hole 17: Purgatory (Par 4, 409 yards)

An aerial view of the 360 yards par 4, 17th hole ‘Purgatory’ on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 04, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon for R&A via Getty Images)

Risk-reward finisher; downhill slope from 300 yards, potentially drivable in wind.
Narrow landing, front bunkers; iron off tee safer for position.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 11th, Avg score: 4.072 (+0.072)
2019 Scoring: 71 Birdies, 302 Pars, 71 Bogeys, 10 Doubles, 4 Others

Hole 18: Babington’s (Par 4, 474 yards)

An aerial view of the 426 yards par 4, 18th hole ‘Babington’s) on the Dunluce Links with the clubhouse behind at Royal Portrush Golf Club on September 05, 2024 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

Dramatic close with out-of-bounds left, right bunkers; elevated tee.
Approach to green with front-right bunker, rough mounds, left drop-off; historic recovery spot.
2019 Hardest Hole Rank: 4th, Avg score: 4.229 (+0.229)
2019 Scoring: 44 Birdies, 284 Pars, 114 Bogeys, 13 Doubles, 3 Others

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