Golf:As the European Tour confirmed this afternoon that the Irish Open would return north of the border this summer, to the famed cliff top links of Royal Portrush, it was also announced that the national open would be back at Carton House in 2013.
News of a return to Portrush, which last staged the event back in 1947, broke yesterday and Darren Clarke, one of the club’s members, was on hand at a press conference in Co Antrim this afternoon to welcome the decision.
The success of major champions Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell is believed to have helped bring the event back Ulster – the last staging in the province was at Belvoir Park in 1953.
“It is fantastic news that an event of the calibre of the Irish Open is coming to Portrush, a world class event on a world class golf course,” Clarke said today. “I know every inch of this course and can vouch for its quality.
“I’m pleased for everybody in this part of the world and the decision to come here reflects the amazing run this relatively small golf community has had in the last couple of years. Best of all, it will be great to sleep in my own bed during that week.”
McIlroy added: “Royal Portrush is one of the best courses in the world and to have the Irish Open there and play my first European Tour event in Northern Ireland in front of home fans will be very special.
“The course holds great memories for me; from watching my dad play in the North of Ireland there as a toddler to playing in it myself as a 15-year-old and shooting a course record 61.
It’s a superb set-up and players new to the course are going to love it.”
McDowell, a native of the Causeway Coast town, said: “It has always been a dream of mine to play a big event, be it an Open Championship or a European Tour event, at Royal Portrush Golf Club, and I am going to be very proud to have The European Tour come to the town where I learned to play golf.”
Carton House in Co Kildare, host venue in 2005 and 2006 and thought to be a frontrunner for this year’s event, will instead get to host the tournament next year.
“We are incredibly proud to have been selected for the third time to host the Irish Open in 2013,” said Conor Mallaghan, managing partner at Carton House, today.
“We would like to congratulate Royal Portrush on their selection for this year’s tournament and look forward to this summer where some of their members Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell are sure to be leading the field.
