Royal Portrush Open Talks "Well Past The Early Stages"
/Brian Keogh reports on the big reveal from Thursday's press conference to announce future Irish Open dates in Northern Ireland (Royal County Down, 2015 and Lough Erne Resort, 2017). Noticeably missing was the spectacular Royal Portrush, but Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson revealed that talks have progressed between the R&A and Portrush for a possible Open Championship.
"The Open? We have the courses that may meet their requirements. We may have some infrastructure problems to addresss but without betraying any confidences I would say we are well past the early stages of discussions. I am prepared to make every effort that I can to bring The Open to Northern Ireland."
As Keogh reminds us, The Open hasn't been played at Portrush since 1951.
