The Open Championship 2025: Rupert Bell's Three Selections For Royal Portrush
This week marks something of a personal milestone - my 25th Open Championship.
Since my first in 2000, I’ve had the privilege of striding the fairways with a microphone in hand, calling the action for Open Radio and TalkSport.
The sense of theatre, tradition and pure unpredictability never fades and few venues encapsulate all that quite like Royal Portrush.
Back in 2019, when The Open returned here for the first time since 1951, it gave us one of the most emotionally-charged results in recent memory.
Shane Lowry’s win was about more than golf, it was a sporting homecoming. The place erupted.
So what about this year? I've shared a number of bets I like with the best odds from golf betting sites.
Rupert Bell is a respected sports commentator with over 30 years of experience covering a wide range of sports.
During the week, Rupert will join The Panel to bring us everything you need to know from Royal Portrush.
Rupert Bell's Open Championship Tips:
- Tyrell Hatton (Each-Way) - 28/1 With Bet365
- Sepp Straka To Win 153rd Open Championship - 50/1 With StarSports
"Different Feel To The Place”
There’s been something quietly atmospheric about arriving in Portrush this week.
Maybe it’s the contrast, just days ago I was at Wimbledon, where the courts and surroundings looked like scorched earth.
Here, it’s green, lush, and rolling - proper links golf and conditions could play a role.
There’s varying forecasts of weather rolling through, sunshine, showers and a bit of breeze - a classic Open cocktail.
If it does pan out that way, don’t underestimate the draw bias. Morning starters could catch the best of it… or not. That’s part of the charm (and cruelty) of The Open.
It’s also worth noting - the course is no pushover.
Rory McIlroy, who famously shot a 61 here as a 16-year-old on a slightly different layout, pointed out that every tee shot demands a decision.
Go with driver and the bunkers come into play. Take a more conservative line, and the bunkers are still in play. Commit, or pay the price. It’s that sort of test.
Tyrell Hatton
Tyrrell Hatton might be worth a close look.
Tied sixth here in 2019, he’s in solid form and coming off a good performance at the US Open.
He’s not everyone’s idea of a composed contender, but he’s gritty, experienced and his iron play is right where it needs to be for a venue like Portrush.
He’s clearly in good form and with form around here, I’m backing him each-way at 25/1.
Sepp Straka
And then there’s Sepp Straka, who feels criminally under-discussed.
The Austrian is now a top-10 player in the world, yet still drifts around the 50/1 mark with most of the best betting sites.
He was tied second at Hoylake last year, handles tough weather and isn’t afraid to win.
I know he’s missed the cut in all three majors so far this year, but he’s won twice in 2025.
He’s a brilliant ball striker and his iron play is some of the best around. At around the 50/1 mark, he makes plenty of appeal each way.
What Of The Big Names?
Of course Rory McIlroy is the story.
He’s not on my shortlist this week, but his press conference was revealing.
He admitted that in 2019, he was overwhelmed by the attention, the noise and the expectation.
He said the cheer as he stepped onto the first tee caught him off guard and his mindset unravelled before he’d struck a ball.
This year, he’s approaching it differently, he is just embracing the occasion.
He knows there’s pressure, but this time he’s not trying to hide from it. He’s trying to lean into it. Will it work? We’ll see!
Tommy Fleetwood
As for others, Tommy Fleetwood will have his supporters, and rightly so.
However, there’s a sense that he lacks that clinical edge when the heat is on.
He’s easy to like, impossible to dislike and always a danger on links.
But does he win enough? Not yet.
Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler is by any measure, a statistical marvel.
He’s played in 23 major championships and finished in the top 10 in 15 of them. That’s not just consistency – that’s freakish.
And yet, I just can’t get excited from a betting perspective.
He’ll no doubt be there or thereabouts – his game is bulletproof, and if the putter cooperates, he could run away with it.
But this is The Open and 5/1 on betting apps doesn’t feel right.
Final Thoughts
This is shaping up to be a proper Open. A proper course. A real test.
My main selection is Sepp Straka (each-way). He's a proven winner, in form, good draw and a solid price.
I’ll also be keeping a close eye on Hatton, and while Scheffler might prove me wrong (again), I’ll leave him alone at the odds.
More from me later this week – including some wilder each-way plays, a few “Rupert roughies,” and some video reflections at the end of each day’s play.
Here’s to another great Open.
