Multiple Open winner Gary Player and former European No. 1 Lee Westwood is the latest star to visit Royal Portrush ahead of next month’s much-anticipated Open Championship.

Westwood arrived on Tuesday morning as the guest of the R & A to host a corporate outing for HSBC on the stunning 148th Open Championship venue.

England’s Lee Westwood arrives at Royal Portrush on Tuesday to host an R & A sponsor outing. (Photo – Lee Westwood)

Westwood has the honour of having played in every Open Championship since making his debut since 1995 at St Andrews – that makes a total of 24 Open’s.

He had his best finish also at St. Andrews of second in 2010 behind South African Louis Oosthuizen.

Later this week, three-time Open Champion Gary Player will be hosting another of the R & A’s leading sponsors or ‘official patrons’ as the St. Andrews-based body refers to them

In recent weeks fellow former Open winners, and also global ambassadors for the R & A, Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington have hosted outings for the R & A at Royal Portrush.

Watson hosted clients from the South Korean corporate holding company Doosan Corporation.

Other ‘official patrons’ include the renowed Japanese-owned photographic giant, the Nikon Corporation.

Mercedes-Benz is another ‘official partner’ along with Rolex while the R & A is also now in partnership with Loch Lomond Whiskies.