First look: Three key holes that could determine the 2025 Open winner

Mark Townsend 02 Jul 2025

The Dunluce Links is one of the greatest layouts on the planet. Shane Lowry would prevail by six shots on an incredible winning score of 15-under despite the weather, test and local expectations.

It will again play to a par of 71 with a new yardage of 7,381 yards. Whatever the weather, it will be another classic, and these three holes will all play their part.

1st ‘Hughie’ – 420 yards, par 4

This played as the sixth hardest hole in 2019 despite its lack of yardage, with an average score of 4.19. Then again, it’s the opening hole of The Open, there’s out of bounds on both sides, and you’re probably going to be hitting an iron.

For all the pre-championship talk six years ago, there wasn’t too much talk about the 1st, then Rory McIlroy opened by tugging it out of bounds and put an eight down on his scorecard. He would miss the cut by one.

Darren Clarke hit the ceremonial opening tee shot, and he wisely chose the driver.

There are a couple of fairway bunkers to navigate, or likely play short of, which then leaves a longer second shot than you might otherwise have. The problem you then have is a false front and a deep bunker to the left of the green – get involved with either of those and you will probably begin with a bogey.

This is all about making a four and heading to the 2nd tee, where a decent birdie chance awaits.

4th ‘Fred Daly’s’ – 502 yards, par 4

This played as the fifth hardest hole (4.20) and has since been lengthened. It’s named after the 1947 Open champion who came from this part of the world. The addition of the new Championship tee will bring the two fairway bunkers into play and if you do play away from them, then there is out of bounds to the right.

One very impressive recovery during the 2019 Open was watching Eddie Pepperell blowing one out of bounds, smashing a 3-wood down the middle, and almost knocking his fourth shot in. When the pin is back left, you will likely be blocked out by the sand hills short of the green.

Another hole to get out of the way with a collection of pars – Shane Lowry would play the 4th in one under for the week – and then head to the 5th, where you will more likely pick up a shot.

16th ‘Calamity Corner’ – 236 yards, par 3

There were just 24 birdies here all week six years ago, the fewest of any hole, and it played as the third hardest hole.

For all the talk of par 3s needing to be short to get the juices flowing, this is a brute and brilliant because of it – and where it sits in the round.

The miss is to the left, with a cavernous hole to the right of the green, from where you are doing well, just to make a bogey. The ball won’t stop on the bank; instead it will more likely tumble to the bottom of the hill to leave a stinker of a recovery.

Long and left is also a horrible spot and also very easy to make a double-bogey from.

Supposedly, Bobby Locke bailed out each time, short and left, and made a par every round.

Our 2019 champ Lowry played this 3-3-2-3 which is about as good as it gets.