Royal Portrush has passed the first hurdle in plans to upgrade its courses and bring back the Open Championship by 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.

Former international Michael Sinclair who won the North of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush in 1997 is making a brave effort to regain the title.