We Asked ChatGPT to Predict the Outcome of the British Open

The tension promises to be nearly as fierce as the winds this week at Royal Portrush, as the world's finest golfers converge on Northern Ireland's rugged coastline for the 153rd edition of the famed British Open.

Determining who will be the last golfer standing in the field of 156 isn't an easy task, so we turned to ChatGPT to see who it thinks will claim the coveted Claret Jug. We brought everyone's favorite chatbot up to speed by feeding it the latest statistical and betting information available. That included British Open odds for the entire field, the results of every PGA and LIV Golf event from the past 12 months, and a number of advanced metrics like driving distance, putts per hole, and driving accuracy.

We then provided ChatGPT with historical information from recent iterations of the Open Championship and supplied it with essential information about the layout of Royal Portrush, including the infamous Calamity Corner, where more than a few duffers have sworn off golf altogether.

It considered the data carefully and, within a matter of seconds, provided us with British Open predictions for the Top 5 finishers and several other enticing props. The results weren’t entirely shocking, but the level of detail was impressive just the same.

🏆 2025 British Open Top 5 prediction

The 2025 British Open is shaping up to be a thrilling contest, featuring a field rich with talent and compelling storylines. Based on recent performances, course history, and current form, here are the contenders likely to finish at the top:

5. Tommy Fleetwood (+2800)

Fleetwood has built strong Open credentials, finishing second at Portrush in 2019 and notching five Top‑10s across recent Opens. His model projects him well for another challenge, backed by consistency and familiarity with links golf. At this price, he’s excellent value for both outright and Top‑5 bets.

4. Xander Schauffele (+2500)

Last year’s Open champ, Schauffele boasts elite putting, a strong iron game, and proven nerves in majors. Though his season has been mixed, his capacity to surge under pressure and bounce back makes him dangerous, particularly in colder, wind‑whipped conditions.

3. Jon Rahm (+1200)

Rahm is a seasoned links player and two‑time winner of the Irish Open, fully at ease in coastal conditions. He’s recently tuned his game in Ireland and is backed by analysts as a top threat. Even at higher odds, his mix of power and precision makes him a smart bet, especially if weather throws Portrush into a proper links showdown.

2. Rory McIlroy (+700)

McIlroy is playing at home in Northern Ireland, brimming with confidence after winning both the Masters (completing the career Grand Slam) and finishing runner‑up at the Scottish Open. Despite the emotional baggage from missing the cut here in 2019, he's now mentally stronger and benefiting from hometown support.

1. Scottie Scheffler (+450)

Scheffler enters Portrush as the world No. 1 and betting favorite, thanks to a stellar season that includes the PGA Championship victory and multiple tour wins. While he hasn't cracked the Top 5 at The Open yet, his dominance in key strokes‑gained categories (tee‑to‑green, approach, scrambling, bogey avoidance) make him a formidable contender on links terrain. If he adapts quickly to the unique winds and firm fairways, the Claret Jug is within reach.

🏌️ Method of victory

Scheffler combined surgical accuracy off the tee, smart green management, clutch recovery, and newfound putting resilience to conquer one of golf’s toughest tests, clinching victory through methodical control rather than fireworks.

Scottie entered Portrush as the clear favorite, with odds around +450 to +550 depending on the sportsbook —a reflection of his season-long dominance. He carried elite strokes-gained tee-to-green and approach metrics into the week, consistently ranking at or near the top across the PGA Tour. This unmatched iron play made links golf’s challenges—windy turf, undulating fairways—playable for him, as he avoided low-percentage pin attacks and instead targeted safe, makable zones on the greens.

Mentally, Scheffler showcased championship composure. Despite visible frustration during the Scottish Open buildup (including theatrics over missed putts), he remained focused and resilient, bouncing back within rounds to sink key shots. That ability to reset after mistakes and maintain steady aggression was crucial in Portrush’s shifting weather and pressure-packed final day.

Ultimately, Scheffler’s blend of technical excellence (lean, strategic ball-striking, pure approach play, improved putting) and psychological resilience provided the framework for his first Claret Jug. His adaptability to true links golf, combined with a “never overwhelmed” attitude on Sunday, aligned seamlessly for a breakthrough major win at Royal Portrush.

🔮 British Open longshot prediction

If you’re chasing a true long-shot for the 2025 Open at Royal Portrush, my favorite flier is Nick Taylor, currently hovering around 170-to-1. The Canadian rides into Portrush on a heater with wins in each of the last three seasons, most recently at the Sony Open in Hawaii, and his tidy iron play plus calm demeanor translate nicely to windswept links golf. Those ingredients, combined with a price that still screams “overlooked,” make him the kind of deep-odds dart that can turn a small stake into something memorable.

For backup lottery tickets, Sepp Straka (+5000) and Viktor Hovland (+3000) deserve a glance. Straka owns a runner-up finish at the 2023 Open and ranks inside the Top-30 in the approach metrics that matter most at Portrush, while Hovland, a perpetual contender in majors, brings proven Open pedigree after his 2022 T-4 and a model projection inside the top six. Still, if you want the boldest payoff potential in one swing, Nick Taylor is the longshot I’d circle first.

Pick: Nick Taylor (+17000 at DraftKings)

British Open Round 1 leader prediction

Jon Rahm has a proven track record on links courses, with two Irish Open wins under his belt and a deep familiarity with Royal Portrush dating back to the 2014 Amateur Championship. His aggressive ball-striking, elite driving, and ability to handle windy, firm conditions make him an ideal fit to come out hot on Thursday. With many eyes on favorites like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler for the full tournament, Rahm has the perfect setup to quietly go low early and post the clubhouse lead.

From a betting perspective, Rahm presents serious value as a Round 1 leader. He won’t carry the shortest odds heading into Thursday, which means sharper lines and more favorable returns for bettors looking beyond the chalk. While McIlroy may steal the spotlight at his home course, and Scheffler remains the model of consistency, Rahm’s ability to pounce on early scoring opportunities at Portrush makes him the best value bold play to top the leaderboard after Day 1.

Pick: Jon Rahm (+2800 at DraftKings)

⛳ Will there be a hole-in-one at the British Open?

Yes, and it's less a question of if and more a matter of when. History backs this up as Si Woo Kim hit a 238-yard hole-in-one just last year at Royal Troon, the longest ever recorded at The Open. These moments aren’t outliers — they’re part of the championship’s DNA.

Momentum and pressure also make the Open a breeding ground for bold swings and big moments. Players often go flag-hunting when they need to spark a round or thrill a crowd, and links-style setups sometimes reward daring shots with the perfect bounce. Given the field’s strength and the statistical inevitability, expect at least one player to seize the moment and write their name into the history books with an ace that echoes across the dunes.

Will there be a hole-in-one at the 2025 British Open: Yes
Likeliest hole: Par‑3 12th at Royal Portrush
Likeliest golfer: Rory McIlroy

Top European finisher

Rory McIlroy is the clear favorite to be the Top European finisher at the 2025 British Open. Returning to Royal Portrush, where he's intimately familiar with the course and conditions, McIlroy is in top form and has the crowd, the momentum, and the motivation firmly on his side. With a string of strong performances leading into the tournament and a renewed focus to redeem his 2019 disappointment at this very venue, he stands head and shoulders above his European rivals. Barring anything unexpected, McIlroy should comfortably lead the European charge and contend seriously for the Claret Jug.

Pick: Rory McIlroy (+330 at DraftKings)

ChatGPT is an impressive tool capable of producing entertaining results, but it ultimately lacks the insights and experience of a veteran handicapper. Check out our free golf picks from the experts at Covers to get the most informed analysis.

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