A host of worthy candidates as Irish Open sticks with links

GERARD O’TOOLE’S comments, reported elsewhere in this issue, that he would like to see next year’s Nissan Irish Open played on a links course in the Dublin area, will arouse speculation about where the country’s flagship tournament will take place — that is, if at this point seems quite likely, Portmarnock is ruled out of the equation for a variety of reasons.

The rumour mill is up and running and there are suggestions that Royal Dublin have made their interest known. It will be recalled that the Dollymount links hosted the tournament for a three-year spell, 1983-85, when Portmarnock were looking for a break.

It's not seen as ideal by a large body of opinion, although it is interesting to note that it produced champions of the calibre of Seve Ballesteros in 83 and 85 and Bernhard Langer in 84.