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The 2025 British Open makes the grade

Scottie Scheffler and Royal Portrush proved major worthy, and readers of The First Call mostly agree that this was a memorable championship.

The 2025 British Open was high quality links golf in which the players and course were at their best. The lack of adverse weather allowed moderate weather to be a reasonable test of golfer adaptability.

Several players impressed with their ability to rebound from poor scoring days to post impressive scores the following days.

Mike Powers
Powder Springs, Georgia
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1. One-over par made the cut for 70 players.
2. Fifty-one of those 70 players shot under par for 72 holes.
3. Fifty-one of those 70 players shot par or better the last round.
4. Bryson DeChambeau and Wyndham Clark shot 10-under and 11-under par, respectively, in the last two rounds.

This wasn't a major championship venue.

Charlie Jurgonis
Fairfax, Virginia
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I found it very enjoyable. Seeing a full field and a gorgeous course made for a fun weekend. Scottie Scheffler beat the world’s best players in a very precise manner.

My other takeaway was the tremendous comeback by DeChambeau after his disastrous opening round. He consistently shows grace in adversity and is always available to an often adversarial media.
 
A great tournament.

Vinny Mooney
Poughkeepsie, New York
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Radio broadcast was good. 

Thursday and Friday the TV and internet coverage was somewhat non-existent.

Dennis A. Lofe
Darlington, South Carolina
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Scottie Scheffler is the best since Tiger Woods. He is on track for a career similar to Tom Watson, not Tiger. Rory McIlory is slightly ahead of both, but his inability to win a major for 10 years lowers him. But he still won plenty of times during that time. 

I don't see Scottie playing as long as Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus did. He might go into some ministry work around age 35 or 38.

Donn Rutkoff
Oceanside California
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The 2025 Open lived up to all expectations.

My first impression is Royal Portrush is a world-class golf course. One of the very best with tremendous character and truly a stern, but fair, test for the world's best golfers.

It was nice to see the full gambit of weather, thus competitors were tested in all conditions. The world's best player [No. 1-ranked Scottie Scheffler] reconfirmed he is in a league of his own, so drama was somewhat limited this year as the competition was more of a coronation.

In my opinion, the Open Championship is golf's closest thing to a world championship, so it was more than fitting Scheffler would prevail. 

Reid Farrill
Toronto, Ontario
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I enjoyed this year's Open more so than others.

Was hoping for a little more blustery weather. It definitely proved that Scheffler is the golfer of the year for 2025. I was so happy to see the results following his honest and frank press conference where he identified faith, family and then golf as his priorities. One of the best interviews period. 

Paul Vicary
The Villages, Florida
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The Open should still be called the British Open — even Siri doesn’t recognize the term the Open. Ireland already has the Irish Open, so calling it the British Open, which would include Northern Ireland, England and Scotland, still holds true and still makes greater sense. But I digress.

As we know "The Open" is the oldest championship in golf and my favorite to watch. I’ve been fortunate to have played most every Open venue. I love playing links golf and Royal Portrush is a wonderful example of the origins of the game, and how it should be played. Great venue and hope the championship returns there again in the near future. 

Ed Woronicz
Hanahan, South Carolina
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My takes:

LIV players can't hold up for four complete rounds of great golf; NBC did not capture the essence of a trip abroad — USA Network did; and a big Scottie Scheffler lead filled up my club’s Sunday tee sheets.  

Dan Hicks' narrations of coastal scenery in and out of NBC’s coverage left out local lore, staples in dining or even the must-see Harbour Bar and its interesting patrons. No local culture was illustrated. No Irish voiceovers.  

Not a British accent to be heard from the crowded NBC booth and, again, too many of those playing through commercial spots that naturally increase when fewer players are on the course. You can't easily see a half screen, so go ahead to a full commercial and we can view what we missed upon return, just like with regular commercials. 

Again, I did enjoy the early morning USA coverage via Sky’s team where Graeme McDowell was a pleasant addition to that broadcast. Couldn’t hear enough of Sam Torrance due to a cheap microphone. 

As to decorum, I do wonder who can keep Shane Lowry from blowing a lot of goodwill, he’s just not as funny when losing it as is Tyrell Hatton. Kevin Kisner's defense of Wyndham Clark’s Oakmont incident was a pure none-of-the-fans’ business message and was not appreciated. 

Most enjoyable was witnessing Harris English take his game to a new level this month; the global debut of charismatic Haotong Li; Chris Gotterup’s momentum; Bryson DeChambeau's third day of great play; Robert MacIntyre proving he’s here to stay; watching Rory McIlroy bounce back to his pleasant personality; welcoming back Matt Fitzpatrick — thanks to coaching from Birmingham's Mark Blackburn; and Rickie Fowler having a good week. 

But it was most special watching Scottie Scheffler getting the Tiger Woods-like appreciation that he has earned. He is now the next great hope and will carry a new audience into the ratings with him.

He may not be flashy, but his humility, faith and family first lifestyle, along with an Elvis jaw — with or without the beard — is going to bode well for the PGA Tour, the majors and their broadcasts. 

Steve Moore
Birmingham, Alabama
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Front: Scottie Scheffler on the 18th green during the 153rd Open Championship's final round at Royal Portrush Golf Club.
Photo: Stefano DiMaria | Golffile


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