Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell last night hailed the R&A’s expected decision to stage The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, probably in 2019.

There is a strong possibility Royal Portrush will be awarded the 2019 British Open — 68 years after being the only club outside Scotland and England to host golf’s oldest Major.

It is a bit like asking Bruce Springsteen to audition for American Idol, asking Royal Portrush to jump through hoops to get the British Open Championship.

McElroy with an E

Is there any wonder Rory McIlroy is ready to embrace his tournament favouritism at Royal Portrush as the 2012 Irish Open gets underway today?

The Irish Open starting tomorrow has made European Tour history by becoming their first regular event to sell out completely.

Golf fans unable to get to Royal Portrush this week for the sold-out 2012 Irish Open will be able to see some of the game’s stars of the future in action next week when the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour returns to Fota Island Resort.

Whatever about the long-awaited return to Royal Portrush for the 2012 Irish Open, Carton House director of golf Francis Howley is already gearing up for the 2013 tournament.

New world number one golfer Rory McIlroy should be followed round the globe by Stormont officials to help tap into any tourism potential, according to a politician.

RORY McILROY’S decision to leave International Sports Management left company founder Chubby Chandler in “shock”, the charismatic sports agent and player manager has admitted.

TODAY’S announcement that Royal Portrush will be the venue for this year’s Irish Open finally brings to an end a protracted period of speculation.

ALTHOUGH the loss of the event would come as a considerable blow to local tourism interests, financial controllers at Killarney Golf andFishing Club are likely to take some consolation from the fact that the lakeshore facility stands to save up to €100,000 if the 2012 Irish Open is switched from Kerry to a Dublin venue.

THE European Tour insisted yesterday no final decision has been made on the venue for the 2012 Irish Open — despite suggestions from Tour chief George O’Grady that the tournament will be boosted by “an exciting new package” next year.

RORY McILROY is now facing a serious 2012 scheduling dilemma with the official release of next year’s PGA Tour schedule.

NEGOTIATIONS about the future of the 2012 Irish Open are ongoing with a June 28 to July 1 date favourite to get the green light according to sources close to the European Tour.