adminLONDON — For the first time in more than 60 years, the British Open golf tournament is headed across the Irish Sea.
The R&A announced on Monday that golf’s oldest championship will return to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for the first time since Max Faulkner won in 1951. That was the only time it was held outside Scotland or England since the Open began in 1860.
“We have every confidence Royal Portrush will prove to be an excellent venue in every way,” R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said.
“There is passionate support in Northern Ireland and we expect there will be huge interest.”
Dawson said it was the “worst-kept secret,” although one mystery remains — the year. To bring the links course up to modern standards of a major championship, the R&A has recommended using the golf architecture firm Mackenzie & Ebert to create new 17th and 18th holes.
Royal Portrush club members would have to sign off on the proposal, though that is likely to be a formality. The next available date is 2019. Dawson said it could be “a year or two longer than that.”— AFP.
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