Speculation continues to grow that Royal Portrush will stage 2019 British Open

Not today. Not tomorrow. Not next week. And maybe not even next month. But, at some point this summer, it would seem that the R&A – who again reacted to media speculation by distancing themselves from any immediate announcement on Royal Portrush’s possible selection as a future

British Open

venue – will finally break its silence and that the word will be in the affirmative: that a revamped Dunluce links will get to stage the 2019 championship.

The R&A yesterday used the medium of Twitter to respond to further speculation that there was a “done deal” on Portrush’s return to the rota. In short, there is no done deal. Not yet.

The sport's governing body – who run the Major – claimed that discussions between the R&A, Royal Portrush and the Northern Ireland executive had been "positive" but that they were "still some distance" from being able to take the Open back there. It held the championship for the one and only time in 1951.

Be confirmed
The British Open venues are decided up to 2016, going to St Andrews next year and Royal Troon in 2016, with dates for the championship beyond that yet to be confirmed. However, there has been persistent and ever-growing speculation that Portrush – apparently with two new holes to be built on the adjoining Valley links and the 17th and 18th holes on the Dunluce to used for hospitality – will get the nod for the 2019 championship.

“I don’t know if it’s a done deal, I’ve only heard the speculation,” said Graeme McDowell, who learnt his craft on the links. “It has been fairly solid speculation, but it’s speculation all the same. Until we have substantial, solid evidence to suggest that it’s going to happen, I don’t want to tempt fate.”

The drive to get the British Open back to Portrush has gathered momentum on a number of fronts: the impact of golfers from the North – three of whom have won Majors since 2010; along with the success of the Irish Open when it was held there in 2012.