Former PGA Champion, Rory McIlroy and 2010 US Open winner, Graeme McDowell have welcomed suggestions in taking the PGA Championship and one of four Majors, outside of the US.
PGA of America President, Ted Bishop hinted in a TV interview if the move where to go ahead he would like to see the PGA Championship, and first staged in 1916, moving to venues such as Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
“Royal Portrush would be a great first international major,” Bishop said. “I think given the powerful effect that Irish golfers have on the professional game today, that might be a good place to start.”
McIlroy, who won the 2011 by an amazing eight shots, revealed he had been approached by Bishop some time ago about the possibility of moving the championship.
“It’s a big statement but then I had spoken to Ted and other people from the PGA of America about this a few months ago, and I told them I would be all for it,” said McIlroy.
“It will be a long way down the road in about 10 years time or so but I would love to be able to play a Major Championship at home in Northern Ireland.
“The PGA of America are very forward thinking and want to think outside the box, and if they are thinking of moving the PGA around the world a little bit then I think it’s a great thing and help the game grow globally.”
McDowell was just 11 years old when he first set foot on the famed Co. Antrim links venue that last year played successful host to the European Tour’s Irish Open.
Record crowds flocked to the course in a first return of Ireland’s premier event to Northern Ireland in 60 years.The R & A as organisers of golf’s oldest Major, the Open Championship, are also considering taking the championship back to Royal Portrush that continues to hold the honour of hosting the only Open Championship outside of England, Scotland and Wales when the course played host to the 1951 Open.
Next year, the British Amateur Championship is heading to Royal Portrush.
“I had heard that the PGA of America was looking to take the PGA Championship global and it is a very positive step forward,” said McDowell.
“To have three of the four Major Championships in America with the global nature of the game nowadays is a little too heavy weighted.
“They are thinking of taking the Open Championship back to Royal Portrush but then the US PGA would do nicely.
“It’s very bizarre and it was a very amazing statement from Ted Bishop as I was expecting it to be Asia or Australia but not the north coast of Ireland.
“It’s exciting times and if it never comes to fruition then it is still an exciting boost for everyone in the Royal Portrush to have even had the course mentioned in that breath.
“So on the a positive side of things, the US PGA Championship going global for the game of golf.”
