Rory McIlroy’s coach shares the ‘rumor’ which has been going around about Royal Portrush before The Open this year

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The 2025 Open Championship is set to take place at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, in July.

While American golf fans will probably predict Scottie Scheffler or Bryson DeChambeau to win the Claret Jug, the home crowd will be willing two other players onto victory.

Spectators in attendance will have their eyes on local heroes Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. The pair have incredible records at Royal Portrush, with the Masters champion holding the old course record (61) and Lowry holding the new (63).

Now, McIlroy’s putting coach has shared what he’s heard about a change made to the golf course in preparation for the major championship.

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Brad Faxon reveals what he’s been told about Open Championship venue Royal Portrush

Brad Faxon, who coaches McIlroy, was asked about the possibility of an Irish winner at this year’s Open Championship.

“I really do [think it could happen],” he responded, with McIlroy and Lowry in mind, before explaining what could be different about Royal Portrush.

“I have heard a rumour that the first hole, where Rory hit a two iron or a one iron off the tee, and pull-hooked it out of bounds… Now that was an in-course out-of-bounds they had set up for gallery control and some sponsor suites,” he told Smylie Kaufman.

“I don’t think that is going to be out of bounds this year. I think there is a new tee, too. I think it’s back further. So that hole is not going to just be a lay-up necessarily, depending on the wind conditions.

“All my friends who have gone over there to play always try and argue which is a better course, County Down or Portrush.

“And to have Shane win there in 19… Shane Lowry said the last time I saw him at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, he said, ‘Rory has taken the pressure off me going back there.’ So imagine that, if one of those two guys comes back and is in contention on the last day.”

The PGA Championship was a bit of a letdown, as Scottie Scheffler won comfortably, so golf fans will be hoping for similar excitement at The Open as at McIlroy’s Masters win earlier this year.

The final leaderboard when Shane Lowry won 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush

Lowry announced himself as one of the best golfers on the planet with his six-shot win at the Open Championship in 2019.

The Irishman dominated the star-studded field with consecutive four-under-par 67s to start the tournament, before a course record 63 on Saturday.

2019 Open Championship final leaderboard

His 72 in the final round on Sunday was all that was needed to see out a remarkable wire-to-wire victory on home soil.

It hasn’t quite happened for Lowry in major championships since then, finishing third at the 2022 Masters, but he deserves to be among the favorites upon his return to Royal Portrush.