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One week from now, the 148th Open Championship will be underway – and, with any luck, conditions at Royal Portrush won’t be as bad as they seemingly are today.

Ulster and Ireland rugby international Darren Cave took to Instagram to share footage of the 18th hole of the Dunluce Links… with a river of rainwater cascading down the fairway.

The scene is in stark contrast to last year’s championship at Carnoustie, where a prolonged heatwave baked out the Angus links and left it brown, fast and firm.

• The Open: The field as it stands

• Open champ to pocket record prize money

Fortunately, the long-range weather forecast for next week isn’t completely terrible, with a mixture of sunshine and showers predicted for the four tournament days and, crucially, not much in the way of wind.

• Where & when to watch the Open on TV this year

• The incredible story of the only Portrush Open champ

The Open visits Royal Portrush next week for only the second time in its history and the first since 1951.


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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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