The Open weather: Latest Royal Portrush forecast and whether play could be disrupted by storms at this week's major
What will the weather be at The Open? Could storms disrupt play at The Open? Latest forecast for Royal Portrush, including day-by-day conditions expected for all four tournament rounds; Watch The Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports Golf
Last Updated: 18/07/25 7:02am
Could bad weather disrupt The Open? We take a look at the latest forecast for the final men’s major of the year and the conditions expected at Royal Portrush.
Links golf traditionally provides a unique test, with the weather at Royal Portrush likely to add to the challenge facing the players this week for the final men's major of the year.
Monday's practice round was suspended due to the threat of lightning around the Causeway coastline, while the Met Office issued a "yellow warning" for possible thunderstorms during Tuesday's practice day.
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Wednesday's practice session was dry and mostly sunny, while the forecast - issued by the R&A via the Met Office - for the tournament itself indicates 'changeable' conditions and potential adverse weather.
The opening round saw heavy showers and and a mixture of conditions, although the risk of thunderstorms that was in the forecast never materialised and play was completed as scheduled.
It is expected to be unsettled during the weekend at The Open, where record crowds are expected to attend, with periods of rain and showers forecast for the rest of the tournament.
Over 275,000 fans are expected to visit the iconic Dunluce links venue across the eight tournament days from July 13-20, which would make it the most well-attended edition of The Open outside of St Andrews.
What is the forecast for The Open?
Issued by the R&A, provided by the Met Office, on Friday morning:
Friday 18th: Scattered showers around the area, with a small chance of them becoming heavy at times. Any remaining showers gradually easing into the evening. Variable winds gusting up to 15 miles per hour and highs of 21°C (70°F).
Saturday 19th: Possible low cloud and mistiness to start. Low confidence in detail, but good spells of dry and bright weather expected with a chance of scattered showers developing.
Rain: 0-2 mm with winds expected to gust up to 18mph by midday before easing through the evening. Highs of 22°C (72°F).
Sunday 20th: Greater chance of wetter conditions with spells of rain or showers, possibly heavy at times, most likely through the middle part of the day. Rain around 5mm, with gusts around 15mph.
Day mocks 'crazy' weather: Forecast is always wrong!
Former world No 1 Jason Day, speaking about the weather after his opening-round 73:
"The weather here is the craziest weather pattern I've ever experienced in my life. There's no consistency to it whatsoever. I mean, I'd love to be a weatherman here. You just get it wrong all the time.
"I can say that with true honesty because of watching the weather pattern over the last two weeks. Last weekend, he got it right, but this whole week has been awful trying to get it right with the weather.
"It's not good to be wrong in golf. It might be good to be wrong as a weatherman."
Why do pairings and tee times matter at The Open?
Sky Sports News' Jamie Weir:
"The tee times matter more at this major than any other, simply because of the elements and how they can wreak havoc and how unpredictable they can be.
"You can get on the wrong half of the draw at an Open Championship, where you could be playing in the worst of the weather on Thursday and the worst of the weather on the Friday.
"Someone on the other half of the draw can then be playing in glorious benign sunny conditions on Thursday and flat calm conditions on the Friday as well, so it can ruin your Open chances if you are on that wrong side of the draw.
"Asking me to predict the weather at an Open Championship - and especially in this part of the world - is like asking to predict who's going to win the Claret Jug, with that forecast changing all the time."
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