The 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush will conclude the major golf season, presenting a critical opportunity for players like Rory McIlroy. With roots just 60 miles from the venue, the Northern Irishman sees this as a prime chance to secure a major title on home soil after missing the cut in 2019. As anticipation builds, the PGA Tour 2025 Open Championship parlay is capturing the attention of bettors looking to turn a small wager into a substantial payout.
Play gets underway Thursday at Royal Portrush with a wide range of player prop bets available for the season’s last major. Golf expert Eric Cohen has crafted a compelling eight-leg parlay that could pay nearly $1.1 million on just a $10 bet. His projections, backed by a model that has successfully predicted 15 major winners, are fueling excitement among those following the latest Open Championship odds and prop lines.
Reliable Picks Fuel a High-Stakes PGA Tour Parlay
Eric Cohen is a noted golf bettor who has consistently identified pre-tournament favorites across recent seasons. His record includes correctly forecasting winners like Justin Thomas at the 2025 RBC Heritage and others such as Aaron Rai at the 2024 Wyndham Championship, Davis Thompson at the 2024 John Deere Classic, and Bryson DeChambeau at the 2024 U.S. Open. He also predicted victories for Scottie Scheffler at the 2024 Players Championship and Brooks Koepka at the 2023 PGA Championship, among others.
Cohen’s insights extend beyond outright winners, as he successfully picked Ben Griffin to lead the leaderboard at the Charles Schwab Classic when Scottie Scheffler was excluded. His deep knowledge of player form and course fit underpins the parlay he recommends for the upcoming Open Championship.
Key Player Selections Driving the Parlay Potential
One critical component of Cohen’s parlay is Viktor Hovland, who is projected to finish within the top 20, offering a promising +130 payout. At 27, Hovland boasts seven PGA Tour wins and is an established presence near the top of major championship leaderboards, including four top-five finishes and a tie for fourth at the 2022 Open Championship.
Hovland bounced back from the surprising withdrawal at the Travelers Championship with a solid T11 at the Scottish Open. In his last three events, including the WD, Hovland has gained a combined 22 shots on approach, which is my favorite measure of predicted success. The Norwegian finished solo 3rd at the season’s third major at Oakmont, gaining nearly 15 shots tee to green in the process. With three top-13 finish among four Open Championship starts, this finishing position might actually be a notch too low for Hovland, who has solid upside,
Eric Cohen said.
Tommy Fleetwood is another influential pick, expected to finish within the top 10 at +250 odds. Fleetwood narrowly missed winning the Open Championship in 2019 at Royal Portrush, finishing second, and has posted four top-five finishes throughout the 2025 season. Although a PGA Tour victory has eluded him recently, his extensive success on the DP World Tour and consistent Open Championship performances make him a strong contender.
His Open Championship record is excellent, with a solo second here in 2019 among three top-10 finishes in his last five appearances,
Cohen remarked.
A T34 at the Scottish Open was surprising but his putter was the reason for the lower than expected finish. Yet again, I expect the Englishman to contend but likely disappoint those of us outright backers.
Building a Winning Strategy for Your Parlay Bets
Alongside these key selections, Cohen has chosen an outright winner and several additional prop picks to complete the eight-leg PGA Tour parlay. This combination of bets, meticulously researched and analyzed, has the potential to transform a modest $10 wager into a prize approaching $1.1 million. The complexity and risk of the parlay are balanced by a strategic understanding of player trends, course conditions, and recent performance data.
Bettors interested in joining the action can access the full parlay through SportsLine, where Cohen’s expert insights and model projections are available. New users at platforms like BetMGM, Fanatics Sportsbook, and bet365 can also use promotional codes to enhance their initial betting experience. This opening major at Royal Portrush promises thrilling competition and considerable betting opportunities for those ready to engage.
The Broader Impact and What to Watch Next
The 2025 Open Championship is more than just a tournament; it is a test of skill, strategy, and stamina that often defines careers. Having a local hero like Rory McIlroy in the field intensifies the drama, as fans hope to witness him claim a major title on familiar turf. The considerable payouts from a parlay like Cohen’s illustrate how data-driven betting strategies can elevate the stakes, potentially changing the fortunes of bettors who follow expert advice closely.
As the championship unfolds, the combination of strong favorites and calculated prop bets will keep both professionals and casual fans engaged. The unique blend of history, location, and player performance makes the Open Championship at Royal Portrush a captivating event poised to deliver memorable moments, exceptional golf, and significant betting excitement.