Underrated Golfers May Steal Thunder At 2025 Open Championship

Forbes

10 hours ago

Cameron Young may not be one of the favorites but he has the game to find glory —. (Photo by Andrew ...) and perhaps a title — at The Open Championship.
The Open Championship is golf's final major of the year, and the top golfers in the world will meet at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for one of the sport's most demanding setups. This links course is not in the usual rotation of courses used for this most traditional event as it hosts the tournament for just the second time since 1951. Royal Portrush is more than 7,300 yards long, has brutally narrow fairways, pot bunkers and undulating greens that will test the best golfers in the world.
Even casual golf fans know that big names like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Xander Schauffele are the favorites in the tournament. One or more of these golfers is likely to be in the mix by the time Sunday's final round reaches its climax.
However, the unique setup of Royal Portrush and the challenging weather conditions – rain and wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour are likely – should give multiple underdogs a chance to show off their skills and rise to contender status. Here's a look at five underrated golfers who could make a deep run for the title of 'Champion Golfer of the Year.'
Cameron Young
Young has done very well in past Open Championships that includes two top-10 finishes. He had one of his best showings at the U.S. Open this year when he finished tied for fourth. He regularly elevates his game in golf's major championships.
Young is still looking for his first career victory on the PGA Tour or internationally, but he has seven runner-up finishes and has also finished in the top five 12 times. The 28-year-opld from Scarborough, New York ranks 37th in the FedEx Cup points.
He is a sharp putter who ranks 11th in shots gained on the green and he averages 4.05 birdies per round. He is also a strong enough driver to be a factor off the tee at Royal Portrush.
Corey Conners
The Canadian's biggest strength is his elite ball striking, which should mean that he will be accurate from tee to green. The 33-year-old has two career wins and five top-10 finishes in 2025. He ranks 14th in FedEx Cup points.
Conners is not a big hitter as he averages 296.6 yards off the tee, but he is very accurate and he excels when he is forced to scramble from the rough.
Conners has never risen to the occasion at any of the Majors, but he is playing well this season and The Open Championship tends to give a true opportunity to those looking for a breakthrough.
Sepp Straka of Austria may be ready for a breakthrough victory in the final major tournament of the ... More year. (Photo by)
Sepp Straka
If you don't think Straka has been playing well this season, you have missed one of golf's most interesting stories this season. Straka has two wins this season while adding six top-10s, and that may be enough to help him rise to the occasion after missing the cut at the Masters, the PGA and the U.S. Open.
He is third in FedEx Cup points and a decent showing in the opening round could give him the confidence needed to contend. Straka's greatest strength comes on approach shots as he ranks fourth on the tour in that area. As a result, he also excels at making greens in regulation.
He leads the tour with an average of 4.52 birdies per round, but he struggles with his distance off the tee.
Russell Henley
Henley is another golfer who is going to get the job done because he keeps the ball in the fairway but is not going to overwhelm the field with his driving distance. He has won one event on the PGA Tour so far this season, but his consistency is exemplified by his eight top-10 finishes.
The 36-year-old Macon, Georgia native is fifth in FedEx Cup points this season. He made the top 10 at the U.S. Open and he finished tied for fourth in last year's Open Championship. He has earned more than $9.3 million this season.
Viktor Hovland
Hovland could raise his profile dramatically if he could manage to earn the title at Royal Portrush. He is widely respected by the game's top players and closest observers, but he needs to come through with a championship effort in a major tournament. He has the all-around game to do just that and has been known for his ability to string birdies together.
The 27-year-old from Oslo, Norway has one win this season and ranks 22nd in FedEx Cup points. He has earned more than $35.6 million in his career. Hovland ranks 18th with an average of 4.18 birdies per round.
Long approach shots – 200 yards or more – are his strength. However, when Hovland is in the rough, he has a tough time scrambling. That last factor could become a problem for him at The Open Championship.