The Open Championship 2025: Royal Portrush's Toughest/Easiest Holes

The fourth and final grand slam tees off at Royal Portrush with the world's best golfers hoping to get their hands on the Claret Jug. 

World number one Scottie Scheffler is the favourite on golf betting sites, with local hero Rory McIlroy next on the market.

McIlroy is aiming to follow in the footsteps of his good friend Shane Lowry, who was the champion golfer in 2019 - the last time Portrush hosted the tournament.

McIlroy, who grew up playing on links courses in Northern Ireland, would be a popular champion. As as a 16-year-old set a course record of 61 in the North of Ireland Championship.

The Dunluce Links course has been redesigned since then making it a testing four-days for the world's best golfers, but which holes will cause the most damage?

We take a look at the toughest and easiest holes six years ago when Lowry tamed the course - and the weather - to lift the coveted Claret Jug.

Royal Portrush's Toughest Holes In 2019

Ranked 1: Hole 11 - Stevenson's - Par 4 - 474 Yards

Statistically, the 11th hole was the toughest hole in 2019 and there is nothing to suggest things will be any easier this time around.

In the first three rounds, a total of 39 birdies were carded but on the final day, only Ryan Fox and Thorbjorn Olsen managed to pick up a shot. 

Just like six years ago, the mantra will be to make par and move on.

Royal Portrush Toughest Hole In 2019:

The 2019 champion dropped a shot at the 11th in his opening and closing rounds with two pars in between. 

Regulars who play this course before and after the Open circus has been in town, they get to play this as a par-5, but not for the professionals.

Six years ago, there were a total of 27 double bogeys or worse. Garrick Porteous carded an eight during his first round which led to an early exit.

Ranked 2: Hole 14 Causeway - Par 4 - 474 Yards

The good news for golfers this week is that the 14th hole has been officially shortened, but only by eight yards.

The bad news is that the Causeway hole was the second toughest hole in 2019, with players taking an average of 4.35 for the 466-yard par-4. 

Beware the bunkers that flank the fairway and accuracy hitting the green is needed to avoid the dramatic drop on the left, centre and rear. 

Missing the green can lead to a bogey or worse. The last time the world's best golfers visited the north coast seaside, there were 150 bogeys - the most for any hole. 

Royal Portrush Second Toughest Hole In 2019:

Two of those dropped shots ended up on Lowry's card, but he had six shots to spare when he downed his first celebratory pint of Guinness. 

A double bogey on the Sunday put paid to Tommy Fleetwood's challenge and once again he had to settle for second place in a major.

Fleetwood will be hoping to become golf's next first-time major champion in Portrush.

The popular 34-year-old is fourth favourite on betting apps to win his first major in Portrush. 

Ranked 3: Hole 16 Calamity Corner - Par 3 - 236 Yards 

If the field gets through the first 15 holes with a good-looking scorecard, they might want to compose themselves for a tough finish. 

The 16th and 18th holes were the third and fourth toughest at Portrush six years ago, and the 16th deserves special care and attention. 

Royal Portrush's signature hole is called 'Calamity Corner' and the stats back this up.

Royal Portrush Third Toughest Hole In 2019:

Despite only being 236-yards long, 24 birdies were the lowest for any of the 18 holes on the Dunluce course in 2019. 

Lowry managed to navigate the 16th hole from Thursday through to Sunday on one under par thanks to a birdie during his third round on Saturday, traditionally known as moving day. 

Tyrell Hatton finished in a share of sixth place, but he could have been in a much better position to challenge for the title had he not signed for a second-round double bogey and a third-round bogey.

Royal Portrush's Toughest Holes Stats From 2019:

Royal Portrush's Easiest Holes In 2019

Ranked 1: Hole 12 Dhu Varren - Par 5 - 531 Yards 

The irony that the 'easiest' hole on the course immediately following the 'toughest' won't be lost on those seeking to win the Claret Jug. 

Players who dropped a shot at the aforementioned Stevenson's should be able to get it back on what was the easiest hole in 2019. 

Dhu Varren yielded 188 birdies - the most of any hole - and the eight eagles the hole also gave up means players scored an average 4.66 on the 532-yard par-5. 

Royal Portrush Easiest Hole In 2019:

Lowry wasn't spectacular on the 12th, but two birdies over four days were enough to help him land his first ever major title. 

Europe's Ryder Cup captain Justin Rose has very fond memories of the 12th six years ago, having played it in six under par - thanks to birdies either side of eagles in rounds two and three.

Rose's four on the final day was the only bright spot in an eight-over par round of 79 for the Englishman.

Ranked 2: Hole 2 Giant's Grave - Par 5 - 525 Yards

The second hole at Royal Portrush offers a chance for players to pick up an early shot or two. 

The Giant's Grave may sound daunting, but it was the second most generous hole on the course with players averaging 4.68 on the 525-yard par-5. 

Maybe the extra 50 yards will make this year's challenge slightly more difficult.

Royal Portrush Second 'Easiest' Hole In 2019:

The last time The Open was held in Portrush, only 30 bogeys were carded - the fewest of any of the holes.

Lowry managed to pick up just the one shot on the second on his way to victory. 

Of the 31 players tied for 30th or higher, Lucas Glover was the only player to card a birdie on the second in each of his four rounds.

Ranked 3: Hole 7 Curran Point - Par 5 - 592 Yards

The seventh hole is an excellent opportunity for players to attack the hole and pick up an early eagle. 

Six years ago 11 eagles were carded which may have prompted officials to extend the hole from 592 yards to 607 yards. 

American Jason Kokrak had mixed fortunes at Curran Point, with an eagle, birdie, par and bogey over the four days. 

Royal Portrush Third 'Easiest' Hole In 2019:

It's the most challenging of the three par 5s on the Dunluce course and was one of two new holes added for The Open in 2019. 

The five golfers who finished in a tie for fourth or better, managed to navigate the seventh without dropping a shot the entire week.

Lowry didn't drop a shot on any of the three 'easiest' holes and this year's champion will hope for a similar story.

Other Trends From 2019 You Need To Know

• The leading score after the first round was -5 (JB Holmes)
• The leading score after the second round was -8 (JB Holmes & Shane Lowry)
• The leading score after the third round was -16 (Shane Lowry - Record for 54 holes at The Open)
• Shane Lowry's winning score was -15, six clear of Tommy Fleetwood
• The course record is 63 - held by Shane Lowry during his third round in 2019.