THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, the oldest of golf’s four Majors, will be played in Royal Portrush in 2019.
The historic decision marks only the second time that the tournament has been played outside of England and Scotland, and its return to Northern Ireland 68 years after the same course played host in 1951.
World number three Rory McIlroy was among the first to welcome the official announcement, describing the Antrim venue as “one of my favourite golf courses in the world.”
“I think it will be a fantastic Open venue,” McIlroy said. “They are going to add a couple of new holes to the golf course and I think that will be a great addition and will make the course even stronger.
I’m really looking forward to it.
The tournament, which takes place from 18-21 July, will be worth more than £70 million in terms of economic impact and destination marketing benefit according to official estimates.
“This is going to be absolutely huge for Northern Ireland and, indeed, Ireland as a whole,” Darren Clarke said.
“To have the world’s biggest and best golf championship played at such a fantastic venue as Royal Portrush, with all the passion that the Irish fans will bring to the event, is going to be amazing.”
Sweeeet
The headline should really say the British Open.
Why? It’s The Open.
It should be called the British Open when played in Ireland because there is already an open championship held here each year. It should be called the British open anyway to distinguish it from all other open championships globally. The only reason it isnt is is for reasons of national pride in the UK.
I just like that we get the Irish Open in 2015 and the British Open in 2019. European Open next?
Lol. . some clown you are.. and I guess you have an issue with uk national pride
Quality venue, better than a few on the Open circuit.
Political correctness personified by not calling it the British Open and hosting a ‘British’ tournament in Ireland. It might help people get over the stigma attached to the brits
It’s not political correctness. It’s the actual name of the tournament, which predates the term “political correctnes” by at least a century,
British Open – established 1860. In 1793, the term “politically correct” appeared in a U.S. Supreme Court judgment. facts are facts good sir
The partition open.
I can’t believe it’s not The Open… Open.
Fantastic news!