Padraig Harrington says it would be "very nice" if The Open came to Portmarnock in his final year as R&A give update

The Dublin venue is speaking with the Irish government about the possibility of hosting events like The Open and the AIG Women’s Open

By: irishmirror.ie

Jul 17 2024
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Padraig Harrington says it wou

Padraig Harrington says it would be "very nice" if The Open was to come to Portmarnock in his final year as a professional golfer.

The Dublin venue is speaking with the Irish government about the possibility of hosting events like The Open and the AIG Women’s Open, with the R&A stating that they are "fully supportive" of the talks ahead of this year's tournament at Royal Troon.

R&A CEO Martin Slumbers said today: "The club has asked the Irish government for financial support to stage our championships on the links and we are fully supportive of the club doing that and we are actively engaged in making those assessments. But no decisions have been made so we don’t even know if it is possible."

Harrington, who will be 60 in eight years time, admits that he would love to play in his final major at the Dublin venue in 2032.

“It would be very nice if it was to be my last year in 2032 that The Open came to Portmarnock," he said.

“Hopefully, something can happen on that. It would be my last one… I’d be 60 that year. I know I'd try again [to qualify], you know what I am like. But I can't see it fitting in any date before 2030. So maybe wait an extra year.”

If the Dublin 13 venue was to stage The Open, it would be the first time that the world's oldest championship has been held in a capital city.

General view of Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links (Image: INPHO)

“Has The Open ever been held in London?," asked Harrington. "So it would be the first time, so there you go. It would be something interesting, the first time outside the UK.

“It would justify the fact that we call it The Open, it would solidify that the R&A is in charge of golf all over the world and it would open up the possibility for The Open in time going to Australia or places like that, maybe not the time of the year, but why not?”

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