G-Mac so proud as fans live up to the hype

For hometown player Graeme McDowell, it was the realisation of a long-held dream, and after months of hype, expectation and promises, the return of the Irish Open to Royal Portrush, for the first time since 1947, delivered everything it said it would.

The US Open trophy won by McDowell in 2010 that sits in the Rathmore GC clubhouse by the 18th tee and 17th green is a big part of the reason why this tournament returned to the revered links land it shares with Royal Portrush. Because McDowell, inspired by Pádraig Harrington’s three-time major heroics in 2007 and 2008, won his major two years later and inspired Rory McIlroy to emulate him 12 months on. Then McIlroy’s success begat Darren Clarke’s at the Open Championship a month later and here we all are, along with three Northern Ireland-born major champions, on the Antrim coast to celebrate their success at the first Irish Open in the North since Belvoir Park staged it in 1953.

“It’s been a great run the last couple of years for Northern Irish golf,” said a proud McDowell on Wednesday, “and I guess to be part of the reason why this tournament is here.