If Rory McIlroy’s revelation is correct golf’s oldest major could be heading to the Republic of Ireland for a first time in history.
Portmarnock is located right on the front doorstep of Dublin and has been the venue for many R & A sponsored championships including the Walker Cup in 1991 and more-recently the Amateur Championship in 2021.
Portmarnock played host in 1923 to the inaugural Irish Open and is set to host the championship, taking place this week at the K. Club, next year and after last hosting a DP World Tour event in 2003 when Kiwi Michael Campbell won.
McIlroy sounded Portmarnock as a possible Open Championship venue following his round of a three-under 69 at the K. Club course near Killarney.
The famed Portmarnock GC and right on the very front door step of Dublin
McIlroy said: “I think there’s every chance that they’re (R & A) seriously looking at it.
“So, I think it would be fantastic. There are so many other considerations to hosting a Major championship apart from just being a great golf course.
“There has to be a lot of stuff that makes sense. But, you know, having a course that’s so close to a major city, so close to a major airport, and having a great golf course, I think it would be amazing.”
The R&A have taken multiple visits to Portmarnock and not only the Walker Cup but also the Amateur Championship while next year will see the hosting of the Women’s Amateur Championship.
McIlroy played his opening round alongside defending champion Adrian Meronk with the towing Pole playing with a cloud hanging over his head after he was snubbed by Luke Donald for the Ryder Cup at the end of the month.
McIlroy said: “We all know that he’s heartbroken and, and, you know, he had as much of a chance or as much of a, you know, to be on that team. Any other year he would have made the Ryder Cup team.
“There were just a few unfortunate circumstances that went against them. I think Jon (Rahm) and I both qualify on the European Points List instead of the world points list having looked, then come and play the way he’s played.
“It’s just the way it all sort of transpired he was very unfortunate, but, you know, went out there today, shot a decent score and that’s all he can do is use this as fuel for the fire to go ahead and keep playing great and hopefully make the next one in the States.”
India’s Sharbhankar Sharma leads the way by a shot in posting a seven-under 65.
