MP Ian Paisley has responded to speculation on the Open’s return to Portrush by suggesting 2025 could be “the next magic year.”
The North Antrim representative was speaking about planning delays facing Royal Portrush Golf Club and the importance of protecting the links ahead of the championship’s return.
He said he was aware of ongoing negotiations, before adding: “I would be very confident the Open will be coming back sooner rather than later.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if 2025 was the next magic year for golf in Northern Ireland.”
The last time The Open was held at the County Antrim club was in July 2019 with native Irishman, Shane Lowry, winning the coveted Claret Jug and being announced as the “Champion Golfer of The Year!” by the R&A’s CEO, Martin Slumbers.
Due to the Covid19 pandemic that swept across the world in early 2020, last year’s Open, that was due to take place at Royal St. George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England had to be cancelled.
The Open will return in 2021 to Royal St. George’s Golf Club for the 149th edition of the event, deemed by many as the most desirable Championship to win in Professional Golf.
This will allow the 150th edition of The Open to take place at St. Andrews famous Old Course in July 2022.
Royal Portrush Golf Club’s Dunluce Links has held the tournament on only two occasions.
The first time was back in 1951 when Englishman, Max Faulkner was the victor. It did not return for a further 68 years until 2019, where the course had undergone a few changes and the addition of two new holes under the careful direction of Martin Ebert of McKenzie & Ebert Course Architects.
“This is a very exciting time for the Club and its Members if the speculation becomes reality.” said Patrick Aiken, Managing Director of TheGolfPA.com.
“As a Member of Royal Portrush Golf Club myself, I know what a great event it was in 2019. Tickets were sold out a year in advance, which had never happened at The Open ever in the past.”
“Our team will be working very hard to assist golfers who are looking to attend The Open once again at Royal Portrush, whenever that may be.”
Patrick continued: “Being experts in golf travel and The Open being right on our doorstep, we are blessed and it is a pleasure to assist and showcase our local region for clients when they book their golf trips with us.”
If you are looking for a golf trip to Ireland, please contact the team at TheGolfPA.com by email: [email protected] or by calling +44 28 7032 6707.
Tee Times, Accommodation and Transport are taken care of for you. Additional requests can be added to any booking including sightseeing of local places of interest, other activities, restaurant reservations, whiskey tours etc.
