The wait is over: The final major of the season has arrived. The Open Championship takes center stage this week, bringing with it all the unpredictability, nuance and drama that links golf provides. This year’s venue is Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, a course rich in history and challenge. For PGA DFS players, there’s plenty of incentive to dig deep: Multiple Milly Makers are up for grabs, and lineup edges will be found in the margins. Now let’s dive into the best British Open DFS picks for this week, as well as a quick course preview and weather outlook.
British Open Championship DFS Preview: Course History, Form & Weather
Course Overview: Royal Portrush Golf Club
Royal Portrush last hosted the British Open in 2019, when Shane Lowry coasted to victory in front of a home crowd, winning by six shots and finishing at -15. The layout is a quintessential links track: Undulating fairways, penal rough, strategic bunkering and firm conditions.
Despite the major pedigree, these courses are often scoreable if players keep it out of trouble. While not overly long by modern standards, Portrush defends itself with tight landing zones and wind. That puts a premium on iron play and creativity. The path to the Claret Jug often runs through elite ball strikers, and this year should be no different.
British Open Championship DFS Weather Report
If you’re playing PGA DFS, monitoring the weather is non-negotiable … and even more crucial this week. Coastal winds can create major wave-to-wave scoring discrepancies. If a Thursday morning/Friday afternoon split sees calmer conditions, stacking tee times can provide a huge edge.
Use Stokastic’s PGA DFS weather splits to stay informed. These real-time updates, paired with lineup building tools like Stokastic’s PGA DFS Ownership Projections and Single Lineup Simulator, will reflect the latest conditions.
Top British Open Championship PGA DFS Picks by Pricing Tier
Upper Tier
Rory McIlroy – $11,500
McIlroy heads into his home major fresh off a runner-up finish at the Scottish Open. That’s encouraging form and a reminder that his game is trending in the right direction. The downside is likely elevated ownership.
Still, with Scottie Scheffler priced at $14,200, McIlroy offers significant salary relief without sacrificing upside. His driver remains elite, and he’s proven he can handle links golf. In 2019, McIlroy famously missed the cut at Portrush after a disastrous opening round, but he’ll be eager for redemption on home soil. If he brings last week’s form, he’s a top contender to claim another major.
Also Considering: Tommy Fleetwood – $9,500
Fleetwood’s consistent tee-to-green game and comfort in windy conditions make him a strong play in GPPs and cash builds alike.
Mid-Tier
Tyrrell Hatton – $8,900
Hatton’s fourth-place finish at the U.S. Open marked his best career major result, and now he heads to arguably his most comfortable setting: Links golf. He finished sixth at Portrush in 2019 and thrives in the wind and variance of Open setups.
His iron play has been sharp, and his mental edge in tough conditions gives him appeal beyond the stat sheet. Hatton slots in beautifully as a second or third golfer in balanced lineups. He’s also an outright betting target this week.
Also Considering: Justin Thomas – $8,500
Thomas’ recent form is shaky, but his short game and flair for shot-making could shine in links conditions.
Value Tier
Hideki Matsuyama – $7,500
Matsuyama’s DFS salary this week feels like a buy-low opportunity. While his high-end tournament results in 2025 have been underwhelming (missed cut at The Players and PGA, 42nd at the U.S. Open, 21st at Augusta), there are signs of life. He finished 13th at the Rocket Mortgage Classic and gained over eight strokes on approach.
His elite irons and short game are perfect fits for Open Championship DFS, but his off-the-tee struggles remain a concern. Still, at $7,500, you’re getting high-end skill at a mid-tier salary, making him one of the most intriguing GPP plays on the board.
Also Considering:
- Jesper Svensson – $6,100 – A true punt, but one with recent form and familiarity in Euro-style setups.
- Byeong Hun An – $6,400 – Has the all-around game and links experience to outperform his salary.
This is a classic PGA DFS week where discipline, weather tracking and lineup flexibility will pay off. The 2025 British Open at Royal Portrush presents challenges but also opportunity. Use this week to capitalize on weather edges, value pricing and strong projections.
