After 58 years of frustration, Ireland has finally returned to the Open Championship rota, with Royal Portrush preparing to host golf’s oldest major tournament later this month.
Not since the same course staged The Open in 1951, has the island of Ireland taken centre stage for this glorious event.
And when the game’s leading players arrive in County Antrim for the opening round on Thursday, July 18th, they will not only be greeted by one of golf’s most iconic links, but also the golf-mad fans of the Emerald Isle who are likely to create an atmosphere to match any in world sport.
“Padraig Harrington new” (CC BY 2.0) by Golfshake
Whatever the outcome of the 2019 instalment of a championship which began 159 years ago, Irish eyes will be smiling from the moment the first drive is struck, through to when the final putt is sunk.
But what could make this occasion even more memorable for the locals is a home victory at Portrush.
Between the summers of 2007 and 2014, nine major championships were swept up by Irish golfers north and south of the political border.
Four of these belonged to Rory McIlroy, three to Padraig Harrington, with one each for Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke.
So who will be Ireland’s main hopes for home glory this month?
“Rory McIlroy” (CC BY 2.0) by TourProGolfClubs
Rory McIlroy
It has been five long years since McIlroy won his fourth and most recent major title, and the 30-year-old is currently enjoying one of his most consistent seasons to date. In addition to victories in the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass and Canadian Open, there have been nine other top-10 finishes. He is currently back up to No 3 in the World Ranking and, at the start of July, is the joint-favourite with Brooks Koepka to win The Open, as can be viewed at https://www.paddypower.com/golf/open-championship-2019.
Shane Lowry
At No 35, Lowry is the second highest-placed Irishman in the World Ranking – he has been as high as No 17. A four-time champion on the European Tour (as at July 1st), the 32-year-old made his breakthrough by winning the Irish Open as an amateur 10 years ago at County Louth. Born in County Offaly, Lowry won the prestigious WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone in 2015 and, 10 months later, finished second in the US Open. He is currently enjoying an excellent year in 2019, thanks to a victory in Abu Dhabi, along with two podium finishes in the United States. He will certainly feel at home on the links of Portrush.
Graeme McDowell
Another Irishman with a win already under his belt this year, following his PGA Tour victory in the Dominican Republic. Born in Portrush, McDowell will turn 40 nine days after The Open concludes, so will hope to celebrate his birthday early. McDowell has a best Open finish of tied-fifth from Royal Lytham in 2012.
“Graeme McDowell” (CC BY 2.0) by TourProGolfClubs
Padraig Harrington
The 47-year-old is without a win since the autumn of 2016 and is currently ranked outside the world’s top 250. However, links courses remain a home from home for the two-time Open champion who is predicting a great atmosphere at Royal Portrush.