Thursday marks day one of the 153rd Open and we have picked out three first-round leader tips for the action at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
The wait is almost over for the 153rd Open Championship, which kicks off this Thursday on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Being crowned Champion Golfer of the Year and lifting the Claret Jug is an experience every player wants to enjoy and each member of the 2025 field will be eager to get off to a good start.
First-round leader tips
Justin Rose (each-way) @ 50/1
Ryan Fox (each-way) @ 66/1
Harry Hall (each-way) @ 80/1
Rose can make fast start
Justin Rose has had some near-misses in Majors over the last year, having finished tied-second at last year’s Open and then runner-up at the Masters in April when losing to Rory McIlroy in a play-off.
The 44-year-old Englishman warmed up for this trip to Northern Ireland with a sixth-placed effort at the Scottish Open and what was particularly pleasing about that display in North Berwick was how he ended the tournament, as he shot a Sunday best 63.
2013 US Open champion Rose will be heading into the Open full of confidence and he has previous of starting this event well, as he was tied-fourth after day one last year and just three shots off the pace at Royal Portrush in 2019 after 18 holes.
Tip 1: Justin Rose (each-way) @ 50/1
Fox to get into early contention
New Zealander Ryan Fox has sharpened up his game over the last year and that has led to success on the PGA Tour this season, with titles coming at the Myrtle Beach Classic and the RBC Canadian Open.
The 38-year-old started off well in Scotland last week, shooting a round of 66 that included seven birdies and an eagle that left him withing two strokes of the early pacesetter.
Fox make a positive start at Portrush in 2019, posting a 68 on Thursday to sit two shots off the lead, and it would be no surprise to see him at the summit after day one this year.
Tip 2: Ryan Fox (each-way) @ 66/1
Hall to showcase his talents
Another player who has been making big strides over the last year is Englishman Harry Hall, who his maiden PGA Tour title at the ISCO Championship in June last year.
The 27-year-old, sitting at a career-high 73rd in the world heading into the Open, has posted two top-10s and four top-20s from his last seven appearances and he is a player trending in the right direction.
Hall is one of the best putters in the world, evidenced by position of first in total putting average on the US circuit this season, and his second-round 64 at last week’s Scottish Open shows he can go low.
While a maiden Major win on his Open debut looks like a tall order, getting into early contention doesn’t seem like a stretch for Hall and his expertise on the greens can aid his cause.
Tip 3: Harry Hall (each-way) @ 80/1
