The Irish Golf Club Gazette: RoyalPortrush

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10/20/2015

Clarke Delights in Open Return

The Open Championship will return to Royal Portrush in 2019, the R&A have confirmed.

The famous links, situated on the northern tip of County Antrim in Northern Ireland, became the first course outside Scotland and England to host The Open in 1951, when Max Faulkner clinched his only major title.

There has been much clamour to take the tournament back to Portrush over the last few years, although the R&A had been wary of logistical problems including access to the course for spectators.

But former R&A chief executive Peter Dawson announced last year that the historic Dunluce Course would host The Open in the near future, and the tournament will now be played there in 2019 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Renowned course architect Martin Ebert will oversee many changes to the course, the overall length of which will increase by just under 200 yards to 7,337 yards while the number of bunkers will be increased by three to 62 in total, still leaving Royal Portrush with the fewest bunkers of any of the courses which host The Open.

The move received the support of Open champions Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy, who are relishing the chance to play in the world's oldest major in their homeland.

Clarke, the 2011 champion, said: "This is going to be absolutely huge for Northern Ireland and, indeed, Ireland as a whole. 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."

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

McIlroy, who lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool in 2014, added: "Royal Portrush is one of my favourite golf courses in the world. I think it will be a fantastic Open venue. 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."

An R&A statement read: "The Open is expected to be the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland, generating more than £70m in terms of economic impact and destination marketing benefit.

Royal Portrush is one of my favourite golf courses in the world. I think it will be a fantastic Open venue

"Northern Ireland will be at the centre of the global sporting spotlight from 18-21 July 2019 as The Open is staged outside of Scotland and England for only the second time in the Championship's more than 150-year history with sports fans from throughout Ireland and around the world expected to descend upon the town of Portrush."

Peter Unsworth, chairman of The R&A's championship committee, said, "We are very much looking forward to bringing The Open to Royal Portrush in 2019 and believe it will be a tremendous venue for the Championship. We know there is great anticipation throughout Ireland at the prospect of welcoming the world's top golfers and it promises to be a hugely memorable week.

"We are delighted with the progress being made on the course preparations and they will undoubtedly enhance the challenge presented by these historic links."

The venue proved its credentials for hosting a big tournament when the Irish Open was held there in 2012, with 112,000 fans attending over week to watch Jamie Donaldson win his first European Tour title.

6/11/2014

2019 Open at Royal Portrush

The R&A are reportedly announcing a return of The Open Championship to Royal Portrush at a press conference set to take place at the links next Monday.

The course last held the championships in 1951 when English golfer Max Faulkner won £300 for a two-shot victory over Argentina’s Antonio Cerda. The R&A have scheduled British Opens up to 2016 at Royal Troon, with Royal Porteush expected to get the event in 2019.

A successful staging of the Irish Open in 2012 created record European Tour crowds, with all four days sold out at the venue.

Initially a lack of space to house the vast hospitality areas and ancillary services required for a Major Championship were thought to count against a return on the British Open to the course, but a plan to use holes on both the Dunluce and Valley courses at the 36-hole layout are believed to have made the plan viable.

The success of Irish golfers in Major Championships in recent years has also helped the bid, with Graeme McDowell, a member of the Rathmore club in Portrush, particularly vocal in praising the attributes of a course consistently rated amongst the best in the world.

Darren Clarke celebrated his British Open success in the town, while a 16-year-old Rory McIlroy shot to fame with a course record 61 on the Dunluce links during the 2005 North of Ireland Amateur Championships.

Nine-times major winner Gary Player, who won the British Senior Open at Portrush in 1997, also added his support to the campaign.

"It's one of the greatest golf links in the world and it would be most deserving to have the greatest tournament in the world played at Portrush,"

5/11/2014

R&A Play Down Portrush Reports

The Royal and Ancient says it remains "some distance" from being able to stage the Open Championship in Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951.

Speculation that the Open may return to Royal Portrush has been circulating for some time, with reports claiming a deal had been done for 2019.

However the R&A's response on Twitter labelled these as "Portrush rumours".

"Discussions have been positive but we are still some distance from being able to take the Open to Northern Ireland."

Max Faulkner won the only Open to be staged outside England and Scotland at Royal Portrush 63 years ago.

A statement released by the R&A on Sunday confirmed that discussions were under way, but added that there was a long way to go before the plans may come to fruition.

"As part of our commitment to examine the feasibility of staging an Open Championship at Portrush, the R&A continues to discuss this at a conceptual level with Royal Portrush Golf Club and the Northern Ireland Executive."

The R&A denied reports last summer that the Open was set to be held at Portrush in 2018.

R&A chief executive Peter Dawson admitted that while it is "a fantastic golf course," concerns remain over the infrastructure required to stage a major and he believes the current nine-course Open rota is "about right".

Despite the R&A's statement on Sunday, Northern Ireland's Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said that the success of this weekend's Giro d'Italia showed the province's ability to stage major sporting events.

"If they are looking on this week and they are seeing the way the entire community has taken to the Giro d'Italia," she added.

"Obviously if the R&A does make a decision to put Royal Portrush on the rota it will be a tremendous thing for Northern Ireland and a very positive sign we are moving confidently on and I think we want to send that message out."

The 2012 Irish Open at Portrush drew massive crowds and the likes of major champions Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell have been lobbying on the club's behalf.

It has also been suggested that the R&A would hasten its decision after Portrush emerged as a surprise contender to stage the US PGA Championship.

The PGA of America is studying the impact of holding the event outside the United States, with the earliest possible date in 2020.

It had been thought that Asia would be the most likely venue, but PGA of America president Ted Bishop said in November last year that he was interested in Portrush.

4/03/2014

McIlroy Key for Royal County Down

Getty Images

Rory McIlroy played a major part in Northern Ireland staging the Irish Open twice in the next three years, the European Tour said on Thursday.

Royal County Down will host the tournament for the first time since 1939 from May 28-31 next year, with Lough Erne Resort staging the event in 2017. The Irish Open was last held in Northern Ireland in 2012, when record crowds watched Jamie Donaldson’s victory at Royal Portrush. European Tour chief executive George O’Grady said: “The Irish Open at Royal Portrush in 2012 captured the imagination of the country after a lengthy absence and we are delighted to confirm today that the tournament will be back in Northern Ireland next year at another magnificent links venue in Royal County Down, before returning again in 2017 at Lough Erne Resort.

“We must acknowledge the vision and commitment of first minister Peter Robinson, minister Arlene Foster and their colleagues within the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to secure the return of the Irish Open to Northern Ireland in 2015 and 2017, which further underlines the country’s presence on the world stage following the outstanding achievements of its players in recent years.

“Indeed, it was Rory McIlroy’s inspired suggestion to me during the 2013 BMW Masters in China that proved to be the catalyst for today’s announcement and we are confident that our players will relish the chance to compete for the Irish Open title at this iconic links course next year.”

Former world number one McIlroy, who succeeded compatriot Graeme McDowell as US Open champion in 2011, said: “We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing an Irish Open in Northern Ireland two years ago so it is fantastic news that we will have another chance in 2015 and again in 2017.

“Royal County Down is another great links course, which I know particularly well, and it is one which I am very proud of as a Northern Irishman, so I’m delighted to have the opportunity to play an Irish Open there. I’m sure the fans will come out and support us again and make it another week to remember.”

7/15/2013

Selfridge Wins Cathedral Eye

Chris Selfridge won the Cathedral Eye Clinic North of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush in Saturday’s final defeating Gary Hurley by 2 and 1.

“I was sick on the days leading up to the championship and was on the point of withdrawing but then decided to give it a go. I really wanted to play in the event and my coach, Johnny Foster, wanted me to play, even if I was sick.

“Johnny told me that he had a real good feeling that I could do well at the North this year,” revealed Selfridge.

Foster’s feeling proved spot on, as Selfridge eased through the matchplay field after qualifying on the cut-off mark.

“I did feel a bit under pressure as Gary (Hurley) got off to a good start but I had faith in my own ability so I just told myself to stay patient. I knew I had it in me to win,” stressed the Moyola Park player.

Maynooth undergraduate Hurley (20) stormed off by winning the first hole when Selfridge missed from five feet, but the new champion’s touch on the greens was back in evidence when he rolled in a 20-footer at the fourth hole for the first of his five birdies to level the match.

The next four holes were halved before Selfridge got his nose in front at the ninth to turn one up. He was three feet from the pin and when Hurley missed par from four feet he conceded his opponent’s putt.

It was back to square at 10, however, when Hurley rolled a 60-foot downhill putt to three feet and Selfridge, after sending his 20-footer four feet past, missed the return. At the 12th hole, Selfridge slotted in a birdie three from 25 feet and Hurley missed from five.

Toledo-based Selfridge went two up at 15 as Hurley was in rough twice and also in bunker trouble.

The match ended two holes later. Hurley was pin high right with a fairway wood as Selfridge was 80 yards short with a six Iron but steered his third approach to six inches. Hurley needed to hole his chip for eagle to keep the match alive but he missed on the right and the Moyola man was champion.

“I made five birdies and two bogeys which wasn’t bad for a final and I was well under par all week. I’m delighted,” enthused the new champion.

11/21/2012

Clarke Collects OBE at the Palace

Getty Images

2011 Open champion Darren Clarke said meeting the Queen was more nerve-racking than winning a major tournament after he was awarded his OBE.

The charismatic Ulsterman, 44, who won the 2011 Open Championship, was a vice captain of the European Ryder Cup team which memorably beat the US at the Medinah Country Club, Chicago, in September, having also played in five of the tournaments.

He captured the nation's hearts in 2006 when he put in one of the greatest ever performances in the history of the Ryder Cup at The K Club near Dublin, just six weeks after his first wife Heather lost her long fight with breast cancer.

He said Heather would have been proud of him, as was his second wife Alison, who was there to see him presented with his medal by the Queen, along with his children.

But he added: "She would have been proud of me but more proud of the kids than me, sitting in there and seeing the Queen."

He said it was a great honour to meet the Queen as he was made an OBE for services to the sport.

Asked how it compared to winning the Open or the Ryder Cup, he said: "It is right up there but the Open and Ryder Cup were much easier than this."

He added: "This wasn't a case of nerves, this was a great honour to meet the Queen. She asked me about the golf and the charity things as well."

Mr Clarke set up the Darren Clarke Foundation in his first wife's memory after her death.

7/01/2012

With This Win - Jamie Donaldson

• His first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 255th European Tour event.

• Moves to €537,722 in The Race to Dubai.

• Could move to just inside the top 60 of the Official World Golf Ranking from 116th.

• This victory beats his previous best European Tour performances of second in the 2009 SAS Masters and tied second in the 2003 Algarve Open de Portugal. Has amassed an overall total of 32 European Tour top ten finishes.

• This victory beats his previous best 2012 performance of tied third in the Trophée Hassan II.

• Becomes the tenth first-time winner of the 2012 European Tour International Schedule. He would follow: Branden Grace (Joburg Open), Jbe' Kruger (Avantha Masters), Julien Quesne (Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol), Thorbjørn Olesen (Sicilian Open), Bubba Watson (Masters Tournament), Bernd Wiesberger (Ballantine's Championship), Ricardo Santos (Madeira Islands Open - Portugal), Webb Simpson (US Open Championship) and Danny Willett (BMW International Open).

• The third consecutive first-time winner, following Webb Simpson (US Open Championship) and Danny Willett (BMW International Open).

• The first time there have been three consecutive first-time winners since Rhys Davies (2010 Trophée Hassan II), Louis Oosthuizen (2010 Open de Andalucia de Golf) and James Morrisson (2010 Madeira Islands Open).

• His victory comes in his ninth appearance in the Irish Open.

• His victory beats his previous best finish in the Irish Open of tied 13th in 2009.

• Becomes the third Welshman to win the Irish Open, following Ian Woosnam (1988 and 1989) and Stephen Dodd (2005).

OTHER FACTS

• Joins Ben Crenshaw (1976), Hubert Green (1977), Ken Brown (1978), David Carter (1998), Sergio Garcia (1999), Søren Hansen (2002) and Shane Lowry (2009), to make the Irish Open their first European Tour victory.

• Only the second time he has led going into the final round of a European Tour event. The first was the 2011 Omega European Masters, where he tied for third.

• The 15th time in the 2012 season that the 54 hole leader has gone onto win.

• Becomes the first Welshman to win on the 2012 European Tour International Schedule.

• The first Welsh victory on The European Tour since Rhys Davies at the 2010 Trophée Hassan II.

• The 45th Welsh victory on The European Tour.

• The tenth Welsh player to win on The European Tour.

• Gains a European Tour exemption until the end of 2014.

• Gains his largest European Tour prize of €333,330.

• Moves over €4 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings.

• Gains a place in the 2012 WGC - Bridgestone Invitational, 2012 WGC - HSBC Champions and 2013 Volvo Golf Champions.

• Gains his fifth win of his professional career.

• The 15th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player on the 2012 European Tour from 26 events so far. He would: Louis Oosthuizen (Africa Open and Maybank Malaysian Open), Branden Grace (Joburg Open, Volvo Golf Champions and Volvo China Open), Robert Rock (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship), Rafael Cabrera-Bello (Omega Dubai Desert Classic), Justin Rose (WGC - Cadillac Championship), Julien Quesne (Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol), Michael Hoey (Trophée Hassan II), Thørbjorn Olesen (Sicilian Open), Bernd Wiesberger (Ballantine's Championship), Ricardo Santos (Madeira Islands Open - Portugal) and Nicolas Colsaerts (Volvo World Match Play Championship).

• The 299th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player.

• The 127th different former Challenge Tour player to win on The European Tour.

Courtesy European Tour

6/30/2012

Donaldson Climbs Top of Leaderboard

Jamie Donaldson, without a European Tour win in 254 starts, led The Irish Open midway through his third round at wet and windy Royal Portrush.

Despite the difficult conditions the 36 year old was in inspired form on the greens, grabbing an eagle and three birdies on the front nine.

There were also two bogeys on his card, but at 12 under par Donaldson was two in front of English pair Anthony Wall and Paul Waring, making his first appearance for over a year following wrist surgery and nerve problems.

Overnight leader Grégory Bourdy had three bogeys in his first six holes and leading Irish hope Padraig Harrington two in seven, but both were still well in touch at nine and eight under respectively.

Open Champion Darren Clarke, having made his first halfway cut of the year, reached seven under with a birdie-eagle start, but by the time he ran up a double bogey seven on the long 17th he was back to three under.

The other two members of Northern Ireland's "Big Three" - US Open winners Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, of course - were also finding it tough to get into contention.

World Number Two McIlroy was six under with three to play and McDowell four under coming down the last.

Donaldson, who played the world amateur team championship with Luke Donald and Paul Casey in 2000, bogeyed the first after resuming two behind.

But a ten footer for eagle on the next was the start of things to come.

He saved par from 20 feet at the fourth, converted another ten foot chance on the next and then holed from 25 feet for another birdie at the short sixth.

His second dropped shot came on the difficult seventh, but as conditions finally improved he chipped to two feet at the 475 yard par five ninth and made that to turn in a superb 33.

Wall, with only one win in 401 European Tour events, did even better with a front nine 32 and made up for a six at the long tenth with a fifth birdie of the round at the next.

Waring bogeyed the first and third, but birdied the second and ninth to keep alive his dream of what would be an incredible victory after such a long enforced lay-off.

He had to seek a medical extension to The European Tour Membership this season after injuring himself during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in May last year.

Donaldson bogeyed the 412 yard 12th and with Wall grabbing birdie at the long 17th and parring the last they were level at 11 under, one ahead of Bourdy, Foster and Waring.

Harrington was two back with six to play, but McIlroy's 71 left him five back and McDowell's 73 meant he was seven adrift.

6/29/2012

Challengers Close on Leader Bourdy

France's Grégory Bourdy gave the chasing pack a boost when he failed to build on a brilliant start to his Irish Open second round at Royal Portrush.

Joint overnight lead with Indian Jeev Milkha Singh, Bourdy eagled the long second and after ten holes had reached 13 under par - three clear of the field.

But then came bogeys at the 11th and 14th, both par threes, and the 30 year old's advantage was back down to one.

Italian Lorenzo Gagli was in second place on ten under after a 66 and Welshman Jamie Donaldson just one further back following a 67 that contained five successive birdies.

Home favourites Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke both shot 69 to advance to five under and four under respectively.

For the World Number Two that prevented a fifth missed cut in his last six starts and on a course where he shot a record 61 as a 16 year old he knew he was capable of climbing in contention over the weekend.

Just to make the cut was important for Clarke - he has not managed that all season - but after closing with a 20 foot birdie putt he insisted there was no sense of relief because his sights are set higher than that.

His Open Championship defence is less than three weeks away and after a month out resting a groin strain he said: "It's important to have more competitive rounds under my belt - I'm just not tournament sharp.

"I started nicely today, but a bogey took the wind out of my sails and I couldn't give myself many chances after that.

"Conditions are getting harder and that's a good thing. Give these guys soft conditions and not that strong a wind and they will score low.

"But I've been surprised just how low it's been so far."

McIlroy, with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki in attendance at the event after her Wimbledon first round defeat, said: "The last two days have probably been the best ball-striking rounds I've had for a while.

"I didn't do much wrong and hopefully I can have a good weekend. I need something around 64 or 65 to get myself into contention, but I've shot low scores here before.

"I'm hitting a lot of greens and if I take a few more chances I can turn a 69 into 65 very quickly."

6/27/2012

Portrush Gives GMAC Great Pride

Graeme McDowell, runner-up at the US Open a fortnight ago, does not want to be swept up by what is happening in his home town this week.

Portrush stages the first Irish Open in Northern Ireland for 59 years, but McDowell said on Wednesday: “It would be easy to get lost in the whole emotion of it. I want to enjoy it, but I want to enjoy it at the business end of things on Sunday.

“I would rate winning this just outside the majors. It’s about winning in front of your home fans. Northern Ireland has had its problems, but the town’s buzzing and there’s a sense of pride to see this great event here.”

After narrowly missing out to Webb Simpson two weeks ago at The Olympic Club, McDowell has certainly received a welcome boost from returning to his homeland.

“When I got here Monday morning, just driving to the golf course I got a sense of pride to see this great event here,” he added.

“It’s been a great run the last couple of years for Northern Irish golf, and I guess to be part of the reason why this tournament is here is very humbling. Growing up in this town, you dream of having a big type of event here, and it’s a culmination of a lot of hard work from a lot of people.

“There’s been a huge amount of excitement in the town since the announcement that we were coming here. The town has been buzzing, and there’s been a lot of work done around the area. I think we are all very, very excited.

“Personally, I’m proud to be able to have The European Tour come to my part of the world, and the golf course is it in great condition. The weather forecast wasn’t great this morning, but we got away with it and fingers crossed for a great weekend.

“It’s exciting – 15,000 people out there watching a Pro-Am this morning was incredible. It’s really good for all of the players, and just gives us a sense of what people have thought of what we have achieved the last few years.

“There’s no doubt that people are proud of this golf course and they are proud of this part of the world, and they are coming out in masses to welcome a great European Tour field to this golf course.”

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