The 2025 Open Championship reaches its dramatic climax at Royal Portrush, with Scottie Scheffler holding a commanding four-shot lead entering Sunday’s final round. The world No. 1 seeks his third major victory this year, teeing off alongside China’s Haotong Li at 9:30 a.m. local time.
Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick lurk six strokes back, setting up a potential thriller on the iconic links course. With challenging winds forecasted and historic implications on the line, golf’s oldest championship promises an unforgettable finish.
- Scottie Scheffler leads by four strokes heading into the final round at Royal Portrush, teeing off with Haotong Li at 9:30 a.m. local time.
- Chasing pack includes Rory McIlroy (-7) and Matt Fitzpatrick (-8), who could challenge if windy conditions disrupt Scheffler’s dominance.
- Free live streams available via Peacock, FuboTV, and YouTube TV trials, with NBC broadcasting from 4:00 a.m. ET.
- Key betting odds: Scheffler (-250 favorite), Li (+900), Fitzpatrick (+1200), McIlroy (+1800).
- Royal Portrush’s closing stretch (holes 14-18) will be decisive, especially the treacherous par-3 16th “Calmeye.”
The Open 2025 Final Round Tee Times: Complete Sunday Pairings at Royal Portrush
The 2025 Open Championship reaches its dramatic conclusion with an intriguing set of Sunday pairings at Royal Portrush. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler leads by four strokes and will tee off in the final group at 9:30 a.m. local time (4:30 a.m. ET) alongside China’s Haotong Li, who sits at 9-under par. The penultimate group features hometown hero Rory McIlroy and Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick at 9:20 a.m., both hoping to mount a charge from six and five shots back respectively.
Earlier notable pairings include:
- 8:40 a.m. – Tiger Woods & Rasmus Højgaard
- 9:00 a.m. – Xander Schauffele & Tyrrell Hatton
- 9:10 a.m. – Harris English & Chris Gotterup
Weather forecasts predict challenging 15-20 mph winds throughout Sunday’s final round, which could significantly impact scoring conditions and potentially shake up the leaderboard.

Key Early Group to Watch
The 8:00 a.m. group featuring Bryson DeChambeau and Jordan Spieth promises fireworks. Both players possess the ability to go low, and with Spieth’s links golf pedigree and DeChambeau’s power, they could post an early clubhouse number that puts pressure on the leaders.
Scottie Scheffler’s Commanding Lead: Can Anyone Catch the World No. 1?


With his four-stroke advantage, Scottie Scheffler stands on the brink of his second major victory of 2025 following his PGA Championship triumph in May. The 28-year-old Texan has shown remarkable consistency all week, carding rounds of 68-66-69 to reach 13-under par.
Scheffler’s strengths – his elite ball-striking and steady putting – are perfectly suited to the demanding Royal Portrush layout. However, history shows that four-shot leads in majors aren’t insurmountable, particularly in challenging conditions:
| Player | Tournament | Comeback From |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Lawrie | 1999 Open Championship | 10 shots |
| Rory McIlroy | 2022 Masters | 4 shots |
The chasing pack includes some dangerous competitors:
- Haotong Li (-9) – Showed mental toughness in Saturday’s pressure cooker
- Matt Fitzpatrick (-8) – Won six times worldwide since 2024
- Rory McIlroy (-7) – The local favorite with massive crowd support



How to Watch The Open 2025 Final Round: Free Live Stream Options


Golf fans worldwide have several options to catch Sunday’s thrilling final round action from Royal Portrush:
- United States: NBC coverage begins at 4:00 a.m. ET, with Peacock streaming starting at 3:00 a.m. ET
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports Golf and Main Event from 6:00 a.m. BST
- Australia: Kayo Sports and Foxtel from 2:00 p.m. AEST
Free streaming options include:
- Peacock’s 7-day free trial (US only)
- FuboTV’s free trial period
- VPN access to BBC iPlayer (UK coverage)



Featured Group Coverage
The broadcast will follow multiple storylines simultaneously, with dedicated streams for:
- The final three pairings
- Holes 14-18 (the dramatic closing stretch)
- A par-3 channel focusing on the treacherous short holes
Betting Odds Update: Scheffler Favored but Chasers Offer Value


Sportsbooks have installed Scheffler as the heavy favorite (-250) entering Sunday’s final round, meaning a $250 bet would win just $100. The chasing pack offers more intriguing odds for those believing in a comeback:
| Player | Odds | Trail By |
|---|---|---|
| Haotong Li | +900 | 4 shots |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | +1200 | 5 shots |
| Rory McIlroy | +1800 | 6 shots |
Prop bets worth considering:
- Lowest final round score: DeChambeau (+800)
- Will there be a playoff? Yes (+350)
- Winning margin: 1 stroke (+400)



Royal Portrush’s Critical Holes: Where The Open Will Be Won or Lost
The Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush features several holes that will play pivotal roles in determining the Champion Golfer of the Year. These three holes in particular could decide the tournament:
5th Hole – “White Rocks” (Par 4, 374 yards)
This risk-reward par 4 tempts players to drive the green but brings the famous White Rocks cliffs into play. Expect aggressive plays from chasers and conservative strategy from Scheffler.
16th Hole – “Calamity Corner” (Par 3, 236 yards)
One of golf’s most feared par 3s, this hole plays to a narrow green with a 50-foot drop to the right. The Sunday pin position could make or break contenders.
18th Hole – “Babington’s” (Par 4, 474 yards)
The closing hole demands both power and precision, with out-of-bounds looming right. The two-tiered green has crushed many championship dreams.



Historical Context: What’s at Stake for Scheffler and McIlroy
A victory would cement Scheffler’s status as the dominant player of this era:
- Second major of 2025 after PGA Championship win
- Would become first player to win multiple majors in a season before August since Jordan Spieth in 2015
- $3.1 million winner’s check would push season earnings over $30 million
For McIlroy, the stakes are emotionally significant:
- Chance to win The Open in his native Northern Ireland
- Would complete the career Grand Slam if he wins next month’s Masters
- First major victory in over a decade





Records in Play
Several Open Championship records could fall:
| Record | Current Holder | Could Be Broken By |
|---|---|---|
| 72-hole score | 264 (McIlroy, 2015) | Scheffler (needs 68) |
| Winning margin | 8 strokes (2000) | Scheffler |

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