As the biggest names in world golf descend on Royal Portrush next month, Sky is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of This is Open Country – a one-hour feature documentary produced by award-winning Irish filmmakers for Golf Channel in association with the R&A and in partnership with Tourism Ireland – that charts Ireland’s incredible success at the Open Championship.
Played on demanding courses in notoriously difficult weather conditions, the Open Championship is the oldest, greatest and potentially most challenging of golf’s four Major Championships. Despite its complex nature, golfers from the island of Ireland have proved to be undeniably successful at this great tournament.
While its neighbour England has produced only one winner since Tony Jacklin lifted the Claret Jug in 1969 and Scotland – home to so many of the Open’s great venues – has produced just two winners in that time, Ireland has taken home five Claret Jugs since Padraig Harrington’s 2007 win. With Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Pádraig Harrington and Darren Clarke all crowned Open Champions in the last 20 years, only the USA – the world’s biggest golfing powerhouse – can match those numbers.
With rare interview access to Rory, Shane, Pádraig and Darren, This is Open Country travels across Ireland to understand what transformed these four men from young boys on the golf course to the top of the Open leader board. For the first time, we hear from all four within one film as they chart their journeys to Major success. Featuring archive footage and contributions from golfing experts and competitors like Ryder Cup winning captain Paul McGinley and Major winner Graeme McDowell, as well as Tom Watson, Stewart Cink and Billy Horschel, the four Open Champions recount their own personal journeys to victory and relive their historic wins.
JD Buckley, CEO at Sky Ireland, said: “Ireland’s legacy at The Open is nothing short of extraordinary, so we’re thrilled to bring this incredible Irish story to Sky and NOW as excitement builds for The Open at Royal Portrush next month. Fred Daly’s historic 1947 win was the beginning of a proud chapter for Irish golf at the Open, and we hope the triumphant journeys of Rory, Shane, Pádraig, Darren and Fred resonate with golf fans across the country.”
Ross Whitaker, Director, said: “We set out in hope rather than expectation that we could get all four of Ireland’s recent Open Championship winners to come together in one documentary and talk about this incredible run of success we’ve had, so it’s incredibly exciting to be able to present this story as told by them. It’s a privilege to be able to present their experiences and also to show some of the stunning locations and courses around Ireland where they learned to become some of the best golfers in the world.”
This is Open Country will premiere exclusively on Sky Sports Golf and NOW on July 10th, just before the world’s greatest golfers tee off at the 153rd Open in Royal Portrush. This is Open Country is directed by Ross Whitaker and produced and edited by Bob Caldwell.
The 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush will be available to watch live on Sky Sports Golf and NOW.
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