It was business as usual down on Portrush’s beautiful East Strand as the lifeguard looked out from her perch to the handful of dog walkers and paddlers on the beach.

Open Championship hero Paul Dunne will attract much of the attention at Royal Portrush in two weeks as Ireland bid to defend their Home Internationals title on home soil.

The R&A insists it remains "some distance" from being able to stage the British Open in Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951.

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.