This is a great day in the history of golf in Ireland

First Minister Peter Robinson, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Arlene Foster have announced that Royal Portrush Golf Club has been invited to join the rota to host The Open Championship. Pictured with the Ministers are left to right: Simon Rankin, Captain, Royal Portrush Golf Club; Peter Unsworth, Chairman, The R&A Championship Committee and Peter Dawson, Chief Executive, The R&A. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

Speculation has intensified since the famous links course hosted the Irish Open in 2012 that the club would be in line to host the Championship again for the first time since 1951.

The R&A have always poured cold water on the rumours, but last week it broke that the official announcement was coming.

“I suppose this is just about the world’s worst kept secret,” R&A chief executive Peter Dawson told a news conference at the club on Monday.

“We couldn’t be more excited about bringing the Open back here to one of the world’s truly great links courses. There is a rich heritage here. It will give the game here and the whole region huge exposure.”

The R&A said the club’s members would now be asked to ratify the proposal. Dawson said 2019 would be the earliest it could be held, but it may have to wait a further year or two with course enhancements and infrastructure developments needed.

Local government and the likes of Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy all helped to secure the Claret Jug’s return to the north coast and the golfing triumvirate were delighted with the news.

Two-time major winner McIlroy said winning the Open at Portrush would be the pinnacle of his career.

“It’s going to be incredible and I’m already looking forward to it,” he said.

“Everyone says winning the Open at St Andrews is a golfer’s dream, but to win the event at home would probably be even bigger for me.”

Clarke, who won the Open in 2011 is delighted that his home club will stage the tournament.

“It is wonderful for the area, for Northern Ireland and the whole of Ireland that one of the biggest sporting events in the world is coming here,” he said.

“It’s just massive, with pictures of Royal Portrush being beamed around the world to people who haven’t seen how beautiful it is.”

Portrush man McDowell said he was very proud that Royal Portrush had secured the Open.

“I’m very proud of where I grew up. I’m very proud of the tradition and history there and to bring an Open Championship back to Northern Ireland is very special.

“I guess it’s been a dream of mine as a kid. I’ve been out there, spent many an hour out there as a kid, and dreaming of playing major championships.”

Simon Rankin, captain of Royal Portrush Golf Club said, “I am sure our members will be delighted to see the Open being played here once again.

“It will be of great benefit to the club and Northern Ireland as a whole to have the game’s greatest championship played here. This is a great day in the celebrated history of Irish golf.”

As it is going on a rota of courses, it means Portrush will also get future tournaments after the first Open.