Hopes of golf’s oldest Major returning to Northern Ireland in 2019 have been further boosted by the announcement the European Tour is taking the 2015 Irish Open to Royal County Down and the 2017 Irish Open to Loch Erne near Enniskillen.
News the 2019 Open may be heading to Royal Portrush was reported last week by www.golfbytourmiss.com
The Open has been staged just once outside of England and Scotland and that was in 1951 at Royal Portrush.
However after the success of the 2012 Irish Open at Royal Portrush and with the course set this year to also host the British Amateur Championship it would seem more than likely the 2019 British Open may be allocated to the County Antrim links gem.
Royal Portrush now more in frame to host 2019 Open following 2015 and 2017 Irish Open announcement.
If so, it would end a 68-year absence.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson attended Thursday’s announcement at Royal County Down and indicated discussion is continuing with British Open organisers, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews ( R & A) concerning bringing golf’s oldest major back across the Irish Sea.
“We are talking to them and we have been talking to them for some time,” said Robinson in an interview with BBC Sport.
“We will continue to make every effort we can in order to bring the Open to Northern Ireland.
And as we also reported last week among those who would welcome the return of the British Open is Australian golfing great Peter Thomson who made his British Open debut at Royal Portrush in 1951 and finishing sixth.
The now 84-year old Thomson would go on to win five Claret Jugs.
“It’s excellent news if the return of The Open to Royal Portrush in 2019 is true,” he said from his Melbourne home.
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson.
“Although my memory of that time is faint, it is a classical links courses. I do remember playing two rounds with Joe Carr and I enjoyed the experience.
“So while it would have been good for the region to host the tournament more than just the once but then with accommodation being at a premium, and the Irish situation as it was, the R & A had to take all of that into consideration.
“But I will rejoice and delighted to see the Open return there.”
Also thrilled at the thought of competing in an Open at Royal Portrush is born and bred, Portrush resident Graeme McDowell.
“I’ve heard that rumour and it’s getting stronger, and it sounds amazing that the 2019 Open Championship could be heading to Portrush,” said McDowell.
“It was once a pipe dream but it’s now starting to feel less than a pipe dream and more now of being a potential reality.
“I would love for it to happen and it would just be awesome”.
American Keegan Bradley contested the 2012 Irish Open as then PGA Champion and he’s thrilled at the thought contesting an OpenChampionship at Royal Portrush.
“Royal Portrush is an amazing golf course, an amazing golf town but then if the Open does head there in 2019 it will be interesting to see how they handle 100,000 to 150,000 fans,” said Bradley who shot a 66 to share the clubhouse lead on day one of the Shell Houston Open.
“But there’s no problem with the course holding up with that many people, and it’s one of the best golf courses I’ve ever played.
“There was a buzz back then in 2012 the R & A were considering taking the Open back there, and it would be real cool if they took the decision because of the golf course, the history and the town.”
