In just 72 holes, a player can turn a somewhat-mundane season into a memorable one, a memorable season into a historic one and a historic season into one of an all-time great campaign. That's what is on the line this week at the 2025 Open Championship as Royal Portrush hosts the final major of the season in Northern Ireland.

But nobody should ever mistake artificial intelligence for being sappy. USA TODAY Sports canvassed five major AI programs seeking their predictions for the 2025 Open Championship winner and top sleeper picks. The majority went with the pre-tournament favorite, Scottie Scheffler, who is seeking his first Claret Jug.

Notes: The British Open returns to Royal Portrush for the second time in six years, after having gone 68 years since the Open first went to the Northern Ireland links. ... Schauff