The VPAR Team’s Open Championship Picks

vpar team's open championship picks

Will B’s Picks:

Winner: Tommy Fleetwood
Each way: Tyrrell Hatton

Fleetwood’s been knocking on the door for a while now and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he gets that win. Hatton’s been solid too, always hanging around the top of the leaderboard and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make a run.

Andy’s Picks:

Winner: Justin Rose
Each way: Aldrich Potgieter

Rose has the experience and still has the game to pull off his second major win. Potgieter’s a bit of a wildcard, but he’s got serious talent. Could be a surprise package if things go his way.

Will G’s Picks:

Winner: Scottie Scheffler
Each way: Robert MacIntyre

Scheffler’s consistency and composure make him the clear favourite at Royal Portrush. MacIntyre had an impressive runner-up finish at the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, where he was the only player to card both weekend rounds under par. Additionally, his T6 finish at the 2019 Open Championship there shows he’s got a feel for the place.

Joakim’s Picks:

Winner: Jon Rahm
Each way: Tommy Fleetwood

Rahm has finished in the top 15 in all the other majors this year and is coming off a strong performance on LIV. As for Fleetwood, he’s been knocking on the door for a while. He’s on the path to a big win and could finally get one under his belt at Royal Portush.

Steve’s Picks:

Winner: Rory McIlroy
Each way: Ryan Fox

Rory’s course record at Royal Portrush speaks volumes about his comfort level of the layout. With that and his Masters win in April, he’s the top pick. Fox might be under the radar, but his ball striking capability makes him a smart each-way bet.

Jack’s Picks:

Winner: Sepp Straka
Each way: J. J. Spaun

Straka’s been consistent this season, with a win at The American Express and a solid showing on a links course at the Genesis Scottish Open last week. Spaun, fresh off his U.S. Open victory, is a great course fit. His accuracy could really pay off around Royal Portrush.

Will Buttleman is VPAR’s Social Media and Events Manager.

A former professional cricketer, Will played for Essex County Cricket Club from 2018 to 2023 before joining the VPAR team in 2024. During his cricket career, he competed in First Class, List A, and T20 matches, contributing to the club’s recent successes.
Now, Will’s focus has shifted to golf. He plays off a VPAR Handicap of 4.5 and is aiming to reach scratch in the near future. His favourite course is Poppy Hills, a hidden gem just above Pebble Beach, and his top venue to work at is Waterville Golf Links in County Kerry, Ireland.
Whether you’re seeking top golfing destinations, a fresh perspective on the ever-changing professional game, or betting tips for major events, Will offers valuable insights. For him, golf is more than just a sport – it’s a lifestyle, and he loves sharing that passion with the VPAR community.

What is the 2025 Team Cup?

The Team Cup is a professional golf tournament that pits teams from Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) against those from Continental Europe. Held at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National Course, the event is scheduled for January 10-12, 2025.

The primary purpose of the Team Cup is to provide European golfers with experience in team match play formats. It’s a preparation for the Ryder Cup. The event offers players the opportunity to compete in a team environment. Hence, this is valuable for those aiming to represent Europe in future Ryder Cups.

Source: Pexels Images

In the 2025 edition, Major Champions Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose were named as the Playing Captains for the second edition of the Team Cup. Molinari captained Continental Europe to victory two years ago. He will go head-to-head with his Ryder Cup teammate Rose. He assumes the Great Britain & Ireland captaincy for the first time.

The tournament format includes one session of fourballs on Friday. Then, two sessions of foursomes on Saturday, and one session of singles on Sunday. Therefore, every player will be participating in all sessions. Each match is worth one point. The first team to reach 12½ points wins the Team Cup. 

All in all, the event is seen as a platform for rising stars to showcase their skills in a competitive team setting. Also, it’s contributing to the development of golf talent in Europe.

Niall Ashworth is VPAR’s Business Development Manager.

A golf industry stalwart, Niall has spent the majority of his career helping Corporates and Charities take their guests Golf Day experience to the next level having run 1,000+ events in countries around the World.
Niall attended Nottingham Trent University, where he studied Business and Sport, before working at the Rugby World Cup in 2015.
He spends any free time he has on the fairways of Worplesdon Golf Club in Surrey trying to maintain his 6.1 Handicap Index! His three favourite Golf Courses are Clearwater Bay in Hong Kong, Torrey Pines in San Diego and Trump International in Scotland. With special mentions to Sentosa and Kingsbarns!
He uses a Taylormade M4 Driver & Fairway Woods, Titleist T100 irons, Titleist Vokey Wedges and a Bettinardi Arm-Lock putter with a Left Dash ProV1 Golf Ball (not that it matters!)
If you have any feature requests or golf news that you’d like Niall to review please contact him @vpargolf across socials!