Adare Manor’s bid to host the 2026 Ryder Cup will not be all plain-sailing with The Belfry now seemingly in the host venue voting picture.

Reports suggest the club, that has hosted more Ryder Cup’s than any other venue (1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002), is keen to host the biennial event for a fifth occasion.

However, it would seem this is news to The Belfry who went as far to issue the following statement:-

“The Belfry Hotel & Resort is aware of recent media interest in the 2026 Ryder Cup,” a statement said.

“We are unable to comment on recent speculation.  However, we are extremely proud to have hosted four Ryder Cups and would be delighted to host a future tournament.”

Those last few words of the statement certainly won’t thrill Adare Manor with the Limerick golfing gem last year playing host to a match to herald it’s grand re-opening that included former captain Paul  McGinley alongside captain for 2020 Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.

A European Tour spokesperson is reported to have said:-

“There are several parties who have expressed an interest in hosting The 2026 Ryder Cup, which is testament to the appeal of one of the world’s great sporting occasions. It would be inappropriate to comment specifically on these at this time, suffice to say a thorough evaluation is being undertaken.

“The announcement of the venue for the 2026 Ryder Cup will be made in due course, later this year.”

The Belfry is clearly keen to get back to hosting tournament golf having last hosted a major event in 2008 with the staging of the British Masters.

It was The Belfry a year earlier where Rory McIlroy turned professional.

And recently The Belfry partnered with Team Europe hopeful and four-time European Tour winner Matt Wallace, with plans to bring the British Masters, hosted in 2019 by Tommy Fleetwood at Hillside Golf Club in Southport, to the Birmingham course in the future.