Royal Portrush accepts invite to host The Open

First Minister Peter Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA have announced that Royal Portrush Golf Club has been invited to join the rota to host The Open Championship.

By Nichola Forgrave

Published 16th Jun 2014, 12:56 BST

Speaking after meeting with the R&A at Royal Portrush Golf Club, the First Minister Peter Robinson said: “This is wonderful news, not only for Royal Portrush Golf Club, but for the whole of Northern Ireland, with an estimated combined tourism promotion and economic return of £70million.

“The decision to bring The Open back to Northern Ireland is a tremendous vote of confidence in the game here and follows the huge success of the Irish Open in 2012, the first in European Tour history to sell out.

“Today’s announcement recognises that Northern Ireland not only has some of the world’s greatest golfers, but some of the world’s greatest golf courses.”

The earliest date that golf fans can expect to see world golf stars at Royal Portrush is 2019.

We’ll bring you more in Tuesday’s paper.