Rory and G-Mac love prospect of Portrush Major

Royal Portrush officials were as flabbergasted as Graeme McDowell when they heard PGA of America president Ted Bishop suggest the Dunluce Links could become the first course outside the States to host the US PGA Championship.

But like McDowell and Rory McIlroy, who was sounded out on the idea by Bishop earlier this year, they would welcome the return of Major championship golf to the north Antrim coast with open arms.

“I have to say we were rather surprised also,” said Wilma Erskine, secretary manager at Royal Portrush. “But it’s all good publicity. It’s all rather splendid.”