PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Shane Lowry’s Portrush British Open defense won’t officially be dead until Sunday’s final round is complete. It didn’t officially end with the 3-over-par 74 he shot in Saturday’s third round.

Whether he won or tied for 35th, Shane Lowry's return to Royal Portrush six years after his Open championship win promised to be a special one. It has been anything but for the Irishman this week. While his week did start with a one-under 70,

Five of the last six Open Championship winners have had opening odds of +2000 or longer, including two of the past five victors having odds of +8000 or longer, in the major that has produced some of the most surprising winners in recent years.

At the time, they could not have known, but they were about to create what would become the only golf course outside Great Britain to host The Open Championship not once, but three times. As we approach the 153rd Open Championship,

Shane Lowry has returned to Royal Portrush as the last man to win The Open at this year's venue, but the former champion admitted he was nervous ahead of his first tee shot

Lowry and former Open champion Rory McIlroy are among the contenders for this year’s Open Championship with Xander Schauffele the reigning heading into this week’s tournament and his fellow American and world number Scottie Sheffler one of the favourites.

The winner of the 2025 British Open will make the same as last year's champ but more than $1 million more than the last time it was at Royal Portrush.