Rory McIlroy believes the R&A are seriously considering having Portmarnock as a venue for The Open Championship.
McIlroy believes the Dublin venue would be a fantastic location to host The Open outside of the UK for the first time, citing it’s location outside of a major city and near to two airports (Dublin & Belfast) as important factors.
“I think there’s every chance that they’re seriously looking at it,” McIlroy said after opening with a three-under 69 at the Horizon Irish Open at the K Club.
“So I think it would be fantastic. There are so many other considerations to hosting a Major championship apart from just being a great golf course.
“There has to be a lot of stuff that that makes sense. But, you know, having a course that’s so close to a major city, so close to a major airport, having a great golf course, I think it would be amazing.”
The R&A have taken multiple visits to Portmarnock which has previously hosted the Amateur Championship and Walker Cup and will host the Women’s Amateur Championship next year.
McIlroy played his opening round alongside defending champion Adrian Meronk with the towing Pole playing with a cloud hanging over his head after he was snubbed by Luke Donald for the Ryder Cup at the end of the month.
“We all know that he’s heartbroken and, and, you know, he had a, as much of a chance or as much of a, you know, to be on that team. Any other year he would have made the Ryder Cup team,” McIlroy said.
“There was just a few unfortunate circumstances that went against them.I think Jon (Rahm) and I both qualifying on the European Points List instead of the world points list having looked, then come and play the way he’s played. It’s just the way it all sort of transpired he was very unfortunate, but, you know, went out there today, shot a decent score and that’s all he can do is use this as fuel for the fire to go ahead and keep playing great and hopefully make the next one in the States.”
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