Irish Government to consider proposals for Open bid

The Irish Government is set to consider proposals to bring The Open and the AIG Women’s Open to Portmarnock Golf Club.

Neither tournament has been held in the country, but Minister for Tourism and Sport Catherine Martin has been granted approval by the Cabinet to explore potential bids.

The final decision will rest on a positive outcome from discussions between the R&A and Portmarnock GC this summer and is subject to a positive economic impact assessment.

The R&A organises both major championships and is set to take the Claret Jug back to Northern Ireland next year, as Royal Portrush plays host.

It will stage The Open for just the third time, six years after Shane Lowry won the event in 2019.

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According to a statement from the Department of Tourism and Sport, Ministers anticipate that a recommendation on Portmarnock “will be brought to Government in the autumn”.

“The Open is the oldest and most prestigious golf championship in the world and its hosting in Portrush in 2019 was a tremendous success across the island,” it read.

“The potential significance of hosting The Open outside the UK for the first time cannot be understated and it would present a key opportunity to deepen ties and broaden a shared sporting narrative on both a North-South and East-West basis.”

Meanwhile, Martin said: “Hosting both of these championships as recognised Open venue courses, with Government support, would have a positive impact on closing the gender participation gap in sport, and boosting women’s participation and equality in golf.

“Ireland is a leading destination for golf, and this would also increase Ireland’s reputation as a world centre for golf if we were to host these major tournaments on the island at Portmarnock and Portrush.”

The Government decision has been backed by Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne.

“Ireland has consistently demonstrated its ability to host world-class major international sports events and I am confident that this will be case for the AIG Women’s Open and The Open should this bid proceed successfully.”

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It comes after the R&A said in October that it was keen to “investigate the possibility” of staging the events on the Dublin links.

The Women’s Amateur Championship – won by American Melanie Green – took place at Portmarnock in June, whilst the Men’s equivalent has visited in the past.

Speaking at last week’s Open, outgoing R&A CEO Martin Slumbers issued an update on the venues prospects of being added to the rota.

“What we’ve said about Portmarnock is the club has asked the Irish government for support in putting together a business case to stage our championships on the links, and we are fully supportive of the club doing that.

“We are actively engaged in making those assessments. But no decisions have been made because we don’t even know if it’s possible.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.