The Open 2025: Scottie Scheffler's revelation, the Scot being backed and Tom McKibbin

Our golf correspondent reports from the media centre and also digs out some stories behind the scenes at Royal Portrush.

Family comes first for world No 1 Scottie Scheffler

Scottie Scheffler is riding high at the top of the world rankings on the back of an incredible three-year spell, but he’ll always put wife Meredith and son Bennett first.

“My responsibility is to my family and that's where my priorities lie,” declared the American. “I love being able to come out here and compete, but does it fill the deepest wants and desires of my heart? Absolutely not.”

World No 1 Scottie Scheffler speaks to the media during a press conference prior to The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush | Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Scheffler was responding to a question about playing more of an international schedule, having been limited so far to Genesis Scottish Open appearances.

“Yeah, I'd love to be able to travel the world and play golf. There's a time and a place for that, and right now, with the way my life is, it's not really the time or the place,” he said.

Connor Graham has been heavily backed to finish as the leading amateur at Royal Portrush | The R&A

Punters fancy Connor Graham to be top amateur

Punters have been piling on Blairgowrie teenager Connor Graham to claim the Silver Medal for leading amateur.

Oddschecker, an odds comparison website, revealed on Tuesday that 51 per cent of all the bets for top amateur have been placed on the 18-year-old.

Graham is 11/2 in the betting market for the coveted prize claimed last year at Royal Troon by Nairn’s Calum Scott. Cameron Adam, the second Scottish amateur in the field, is a 7-1 shot.

As for their hopes of pulling off a Claret Jug win, Graham is listed at 2000-1 while Adam is 2500-1.

Northern Irish trio Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Tom McKibbin pictured during a practice round together at Royal Portrush on Tuesday | AFP via Getty Images

Local hero Tom McKibbin has ‘all the tools to succeed’

Rory McIlroy may be the centre of attention for the home fans but Tom McKibbin, his Holywood clubmate, could give them something to shout about as well this week.

“I don't know what it is about Northern Ireland, but they have two of the most beautiful golf swings ever produced in golf,” said Jon Rahm of McIlroy and McKibbin.

McKibbin joined Rahm’s Legion XIII team in the LIV Golf League this season and has now been part in three title triumphs, the latest coming on Sunday at Valderrama.

“He's a fantastic golfer in general,” added Rahm of the 25-year-old. “He's got all the tools he needs to succeed in this game, and so far in his early career, he's done so.”

The Open is the best value for fans among the four majors in terms of the cost of tickets, according to Betway | AFP via Getty Images

It’s official! The Open offers best ticket value

The Open offers the best value for golf fans in terms of the cost of tickets out of the four men’s majors.

Bookmakers Betway - https://betway.com/p/golf/en-gb/ - compared the total four-day tickets prices for the game’s biggest events in 2025 and it delivered some good news for the Claret Jug joust.

It came in at £460 compared to £476 for The Masters and £921 for the PGA Championship, with the US Open being the dearest at £1,063.