Portmarnock seek government help to host major championships
Portmarnock will seek government help to make a formal approach to the R&A to host The Open and AIG Women’s Open.
The Open was last held on the island of Ireland in 2019 when Offaly’s Shane Lowry won the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush. Last month Rory McIlroy confirmed the R&A were looking at Portmarnock as a potential venue, having previously hosted the Walker Cup and the Amateur Championship.
Portmarnock will host the 121st Women’s Amateur Championship next year and now they are exploring the opportunity to bring both The Open and Women's Open to their Dublin links at some point in the future.
Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly believes hosting these events at Portmarnock would be another boost for Irish golf, as The Open returns to Royal Portrush in 2025 before the Walker Cup comes to Lahinch in 2026 and the Ryder Cup is at Adare Manor the following year.
He said:
Portmarnock recently hosted the Men’s Amateur Championship where Mallow man James Sugrue was victorious in 2019 and Captain Niall Goulding is excited about the opportunity to welcome two Major events to their club.
Goulding said:
If Portmarnock were to host a future Open, it would be the first course outside of the UK to do so, marking a major turning point for the historic competition.
Discussing the possibility of Portmarnock hosting the event, McIlroy said:
Johnny joined GolfMagic as Reviews Editor in 2023 having worked for Sports Impact for two years as Head of Social Media, working alongside prominent golf brands including Galvin Green, Motocaddy and Wilson.
