At rainy Royal Portrush, caddies shield golf balls, not players. Learn why, and how water changes shots and spin in wet conditions.

Let's take a look at the weather forecast for the 2025 Open Championship. Thursday will be the windiest day of the week, according to forecasters, who are calling for cloudy conditions with winds at 15-25 mph from the southeast. Expect temperatures in the upper 60s and rain showers for most of the day.

That distinction belongs to world No. 1 and reigning PGA champion Scottie Scheffler. Masters — and Grand Slam — champ McIlroy is a clear second choice, with Jon Rahm, who has three top-10s in his last four Open starts, third.

The Open has had 28 different winners aged 38 or older all-time, the same number as the Masters and U.S. Open combined.

Then a breakthrough in 2011: Mickelson tied for second with Dustin Johnson behind champion Darren Clarke at Royal St. George’s, and something clicked. Two years later, in the most recent Open played at Muirfield, Mickelson produced a performance nearly as stunning as his later PGA Championship victory at the age of 50.

The Open Championship prize purse for 2025 will be the same as the 2024's, a total of $17 million. The winner will claim a significant portion of the total, $3.1 million, while the runner-up will claim $ 1.7 million and the third place finisher will take home $1.1 million.

Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the site of Shane Lowry's triumph in 2019. As has been the case all year, the strong favorites entering the tournament are Scottie Scheffler (9/2) and Rory McIlroy (7-1).