Portmarnock turns to Irish government in bid to stage the Open Championship

It's a move that could make history by taking the prestigious tournament beyond UK borders for the first time.

The club has had informal engagement with tournament organisers the R&A about using the course as a future venue for both the Open and Women's Open.

Portmarnock has played host to both the Walker Cup and men's Amateur Championship in the past and will be the venue for the Women's Amateur Championship next year.

Ministers in Dublin have said they would be open to engaging with the club to assess whether government assistance would be required to underpin any bid for major championship golf.

Last month, four-time major champion Rory McIlroy said an Open in the Republic of Ireland would be "amazing".

The tournament's return to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland was viewed as a huge success by the R&A and the Open will again be played at the venue in 2025.

South of the border, Lahinch in Co Clare will stage the Walker Cup in 2026 and the following year the Ryder Cup will be played at Adare Manor in Co Limerick.

An R&A spokesperson said: "The R&A regularly stages championships and international matches throughout Great Britain and Ireland, including at Portmarnock, and have done for many years.

"We also work with Golf Ireland as the national body throughout the island of Ireland. We would like to investigate the possibility of taking our professional championships to Portmarnock as well.

"Portmarnock is undoubtedly one of the world's outstanding links courses and we believe there is the potential to host our major championships there but it is essential that a full evaluation is carried out to assess whether it is feasible and what would be required to make it happen."

A joint statement by Irish Sports Minister Catherine Martin and minister of state for sport Thomas Byrne welcomed the development.

"We welcome today's announcement that there has been contact between Portmarnock Golf Club and the R&A regarding a possible future hosting of the Open and the Women's Open," said the ministers.

"This exciting news has clear potential for sport and tourism on the island of Ireland, and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is open to engaging with the club to assess whether government support would be required to underpin a bid by the club to host such events.

"The department assesses each request for support to a major event on its own merits. In particular, it is imperative to ensure that economic, participation and sports benefits are derived from any state investment.

"Should a request for such support be received from Portmarnock Golf Club we will ask our officials to engage positively with such a request."

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