There will be an important visitor to the famed Royal Portrush Golf Club today (Thursday).

Peter Unsworth is the R&A’s Championship Committee chairman and his will be on hand at Royal Portrush inspecting the course ahead of July’s British Amateur Championship

However there is no denying Unsworth will also be casting an eye over the Antrim links gem ahead of a possible decision to bring the 2019 Open Championship to the Northern Ireland for a first occasion since 1951, and also only a second time in  the history of golf’s oldest major.

New R & A Captain, Sandy Dawson with newly appointed Championship Chairman, Peter Unsworth at last December’s Australian Open at Royal Sydney.  (Photo – www.golfbytour.miss.com)