The final major of 2025 begins on Thursday with the 2025 Open Championship, and after J.J. Spaun won the most recent major with odds longer than 100-1 at the U.S. Open, longshot bets could be a trendy way to attack the 2025 Open Championship on betting sites.

Elsewhere, Pádraig Harrington will hit the opening tee shot of the championship, and will play alongside Tom McKibbin and Nicolai Hojgaard from 6.35am on Thursday. Darren Clarke has been paired with Lucas Herbert and Davis Riley, and they are underway at 7.52am.

Shane Lowry was not pleased with reporters as they opened his press conference with a question about his drinking. Lowry claimed victory at Royal Portrush back in 2019, and made sure to party in true style after the win.

Shane Lowry took the question on board, began to chuckle and then immediately made the universal gesture to signify a change of direction. ‘Yes I’ve seen it,’ Lowry replied with a wry smile. ‘I’m happy I have to drive the other way.

McIlroy goes out with two-time US PGA champion Justin Thomas and England’s Tommy Fleetwood completing the trio.

SHANE Lowry confessed he failed to have a picture with the giant mural celebrating his Open win — even though it is 25 feet high! The painting of Lowry raising the Claret Jug the last time the

A mural of Shane Lowry holding aloft the claret jug adorns the side wall of a house just across the road from Royal Portrush.

Shane Lowry remains the most recent European to win the Open. In the last four editions, three Americans – Collin Morikawa, Brian Harman and Xander Schauffele – and one Australian – Cameron Smith – ha