Darren Clarke will have the honour of teeing off first on Thursday at the start of the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

It has been 68 years since golf’s oldest major was held in Northern Ireland and at Royal Portrush and it seems only appropriate a Northern Irish golfer should have the honour of hitting the first tee shot.

Clarke captured the 2011 Open Championship amid emotional scenes at Royal St. George’s and in what was a first Open victory for a Northern Irish born golfer.

Darren Clarke wins the 2011 Open and now will hit the very first tee shot of the 2019 Open.

The now 50-year old Clarke made his debut in the 1991 Open at Royal Birkdale and this year marks his 28th appearance in golf’s oldest major having missed just one in 2008.

Word about the Royal Portrush clubhouse is that Clarke has been suggesting:  “If you want to see me tee off on Thursday then you will have to get up very, very early.”

Clarke is now a resident of Portrush while if you to drive to nearby Portballintrea and the 9-hole Bushfoot GC you will notice he has his own parking place.