major news
Famed Irish links closing in on becoming first non-U.K. course to host Open Championship
Oisin Keniry/R&A
Since its inception in 1860, the Open Championship has been played at 14 different courses—all within the United Kingdom. The Irish Government is hoping to change that as it’s exploring a bid to host both the Open and the AIG Women's Open at Portmarnock Golf Club in Dublin.
The famous course has been a constant on lists of the best golf in the world and is known for its true links test buoyed by a maze of bunkers and subtle greens. It’s a wonder that the revered major hasn’t called Portmarnock home yet, but better late than never.
Just this week, Fingal County Council announced that ministers will be looking into a proposal to bring the Open outside the U.K. Portmarnock would also become the second host venue on the island of Ireland after Royal Portrush—located in Northern Ireland, a U.K. territory—hosted the major in 2019.
“Fingal County Council has been working for several months with the R&A and Portmarnock Golf Club to scope out the infrastructure required to stage these two global sports events,” the local authority posted. “The Council looks forward to broadening this work in the coming months and engaging with other key stakeholders so that a positive recommendation can be brought to Government in the autumn.”
Like the Open, the AIG Women’s Open has never left the United Kingdom, only being played in England and Scotland since its genesis in 1976. One of the five women’s majors, this event features an international field of 144 players and is set to be played at the Old Course at St Andrews this August.
Departing R&A CEO Martin Slumbers has said that he is "fully supportive" of the Portmarnock bid but can't yet confirm it as a potential host site. There seem to be logistical issues, in Slumbers' view, most notably a narrow road that connects the course to the town of Portmarnock. This could potentially make it difficult to move patrons "in and out of the peninsula."
Patrick Bolger/R&A
Former World No. 1 Rory McIlroy has also expressed his support for a Dublin major stating that it would be "amazing" for Portmarnock and his homeland: "There has to be a lot of stuff that that makes sense. But, you know, having a course that's so close to a major city, so close to a major airport, having a great golf course, I think it would be amazing.” It looks like a final bid will be brought before the government later this year, potentially in the fall.
“The potential of Portmarnock hosting the AIG Women’s Open and The Open would further strengthen the growth of the sport in Ireland,” said Mark Kennelly, CEO of Golf Ireland. “Portmarnock is an historic golf venue. This iconic Irish course has recently hosted both Men’s and Women’s Amateurs. It has also proudly hosted several Irish Opens as well as The Walker Cup. The course would be a fitting test for the world’s best players.”
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