The Open 2025: TV coverage, Royal Portrush schedule, start times, Featured Groups and how to watch or stream men's golf major on Sky Sports

The men’s major season reaches its climax this weekend at The 153rd Open, with extended coverage from Royal Portrush exclusively live on Sky Sports.

The tournament returns to Northern Ireland for the first time since 2019, when Shane Lowry impressed to claim his maiden major title, while Xander Schauffele is back as defending champion after last year’s victory at Royal Troon.

World No 1 Scottie Scheffler leads going into the third round by one shot from England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, with China’s Li Haotong and 2023 Open champion Brian Harman two shots off the lead.

Rory McIlroy is competing on home soil for the first time since completing the career Grand Slam at The Masters in April, but has work to do to register a second major win of the season as he trails Scheffler by seven shots, with defending champion Schauffele another shot back.

Scheffler is the player to beat, though, as he chases a fourth major victory in as many years – the star-studded field will be on the chase.

Sky Sports is the home of the majors, including The Open, with nearly 80 hours of live coverage throughout the week and round-the-clock coverage of the four tournament rounds. Here’s all you need to know to make sure you don’t miss any of the action…

When does coverage of The Open start?

The Open started on Thursday and is at the halfway stage of the event with live coverage beginning on Saturday at 9am with ‘Saturday at The Open’ before the first tee shot at 9.35am on Sky Sports Golf with action through to 8.30pm, with bonus feeds available on Sky Sports+ or the Sky Sports App.

‘Sunday at The Open’ will kick off the final round coverage on Sunday at 8am through to the winner of The 153rd Open being crowned later that evening.

Early play from the final two rounds will start on Sky Sports+ and the Sky Sports App before full coverage begins on Sky Sports Golf at 11am on Saturday and 10am on the final day, running through until long after the final putt is holed.

What extra coverage of The Open will be on Sky Sports+?

There will be four separate Featured Groups to follow each day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, with those groups and timings confirmed once the tee times are announced.

Saturday will see Bryson DeChambeau and Nathan Kimsey (1025 tee off), plus Shane Lowry and Jon Rahm (1130) in the early Featured Groups before the rounds of Ludvig Aberg and Justin Rose (1400), then Rory McIlroy and Jordan Smith (1430) can be followed in the afternoon.

The Featured Hole feed will be a ‘Par-three channel’ and cover the iconic par-three sixth and 16th holes, with that offering available from 2pm over the first two rounds, 1pm on Saturday and midday on Sunday.

All extra streams are part of Sky Sports+ on Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app.

The Open 2025: key TV times (all BST and on Sky Sports Golf)

Saturday July 19

0900-1100 Saturday at The Open LIVE!

1100-2030 The Open – Day three LIVE!

*Featured Groups from 1025, and Par-3 Channel from 1300 on Sky Sports+ app

Sunday July 20

0800-1000 Sunday at The Open LIVE!

1000-1930 The Open – Day four LIVE!

*Featured Groups (timings TBC) and Par-3 Channel from 1200 on Sky Sports+ app

Which players are in the Featured Groups?

Saturday

1025 Bryson Dechambeau, Nathan Kimsey

1130 Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm

1400 Ludvig Åberg, Justin Rose

1430 Rory McIlroy, Jordan Smith

How to watch The Open in the UK and Ireland

Got Sky?

TV: Sky Customers can watch on Sky Sports Golf, with coverage available at various points throughout the week on Sky Sports Main Event.

App: Sky Customers can also watch on the Sky Sports app

Not got Sky?

Stream: Non-Sky Customers can stream the action with no contract with a NOW Day or a cancel-anytime Month pass

Live blog: Anyone on the move can follow live coverage of The Open in a dedicated live blog throughout the week.

FREE Highlights: Watch near-live clips and post-round highlights on the Sky Sports app

What else do I need to know?

Daily ‘Live at the Range’ shows will bring you the latest news, interviews and insights from around the course, as the players prepare for major action, with two sessions – starting at 9am and 2pm – for each practice day.

Wednesday’s ‘Live at The Open’ show will bring exclusive interviews, pundit predictions and more from the Sky Sports team, while daily one-hour highlights will be available on Sky Sports Golf after each round.

Sky Sports News will be on-site throughout the week and provide you with regular updates from around the course, with Jamie Weir hosting a special preview edition of the Sky Sports Golf podcast from Royal Portrush.

How to watch The Open with the Sky Sports app

Sky Sports Subscribers can:

Download or open the Sky Sports app
Head to the ‘Watch’ section
Tap on the Sky Sports Golf channel
Sign in with your Sky iD (*you’ll only need to do this once)

*Sky iD help: How to find or create your Sky iD

What is NOW?

NOW is an instant streaming service offering access to all 12 Sky Sports channels, every Sky Sports+ stream, and much more. It’s an app, so customers can sign up and stream instantly across over 60 devices. It offers contract-free membership options, so customers can cancel anytime! See the latest NOW TV membership prices.

What other programming from The Open is available?

Sky Sports Golf once again has documentaries and features from past editions of the event, including extended highlights of Tiger Woods’ three victories, while this year’s offering new programmes focused on some iconic winners.

“This is Open Country” is one-hour documentary that celebrates success at The Open from across Ireland and Northern Ireland, with McIlroy, Lowry, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke all winners of the Claret Jug this century.

The special programme includes exclusive interviews with all four players along with former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and major winner Graeme McDowell among the others to contribute.

“Underdogs” goes behind the scenes to provide fresh insight into the sporting miracle that never was during The Open in 2009, where Tom Watson narrowly missed out on major glory aged 59 as Stewart Cink claimed the Claret Jug.

Who is part of the Sky Sports team at Royal Portrush?

Portrush native and 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell joins the Sky Sports broadcast team for the first time, alongside three-time Open winner Sir Nick Faldo.

Coverage will be presented by Nick Doughertywith expert analysis from the Sky Sports Golf team including; Dame Laura Davies, Paul McGinley, Rich trees, Wayne Riley, Iona Stephen, Henni Number, and Sarah Stirk.

What extra innovations are part of The Open coverage?

Sky Sports will feature cutting-edge technology to elevate the viewing experience of The Open, including:

Spidercam: Making its world-first debut in live golf coverage, Spidercam will deliver unique angles and sweeping aerial shots over the 18th green, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before.

Platform Golf: A moveable stage in the Open Zone, with projected putting lines to replicate real putts from the course, giving viewers unique insight into the strategy behind key moments on the greens.

Sportsbox AI: Converts swing footage into 3D avatars for detailed analysis, offering fans a deeper understanding of each players’ technique and form.

SkyScope: Sky’s award-winning AR tool, allowing 360° swing breakdowns with lifelike avatars and immersive analysis.

Watch round three of the 153rd Open Championship live on Sky Sports on Saturday. Early coverage is available on Sky Sports+ from 9am, before full coverage from 11am on Sky Sports Golf. You can also stream The Open without a contract.