North thinks big after landing two Irish Opens

A day might be a long time in politics but when it comes to future of the Irish Open — and a possible Northern Ireland staging of the British Open — changes are coming equally thick and fast.

Where we once feared yearly for its future following the loss of title sponsors 3 in 2010, the venues for three of next four championships have all been announced within 80 days.

Following the official confirmation in January that Cork’s Fota Island Resort will host this year’s Irish Open from June 19-22, the European Tour confirmed that the 2015 event will be played at Royal County Down from May 28-31 with the Lough Erne Resort in Co. Fermanagh getting the nod for 2017.