published: Oct 26, 2023

Paul McGinley believes a Portmarnock Open could be on the cards

Steve Carroll

The Ryder Cup legend says the course is as good as anything on the current Open rota

Paul McGinley thinks The Open could be staged at Portmarnock.

But the Ryder Cup hero said spectators might have to wait a decade before the world’s oldest major arrives in the Republic of Ireland.

Speaking at the opening of St Columba’s College Golf Academy in Dublin, the Irish Independent reported McGinley as saying: “I think it’s a reality and it’s got more chance of happening than not happening, but the timeline is open.

“A lot of ducks have to be lined up before it could happen. But it’s certainly a potential reality. Who would have thought that 10 years ago?”

NOW READ: Could The Open be heading outside of the United Kingdom?

There has been growing speculation The Open could head outside of the United Kingdom for the first time with Rory McIlroy among those slathering at the prospect.

Portmarnock Open hopes: “Portmarnock is as good as or better than anything on the current rota”

The club themselves have not dampened the speculation, with captain Niall Goulding saying last month: “The club has had informal contact with The R&A regarding the possibility of hosting the AIG Women’s Open and The Open at Portmarnock in the coming years.

“Without a detailed survey, it is not possible to verify the ability of the property to act as host to a major championship, given the significant infrastructural requirements of such an event.”

But McGinley said Portmarnock would be as good as “or better than anything on the current rota”.

“The biggest challenge is getting in and out. With the Ryder Cup in 2027, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have something in the diary for 2030? But I think that timeline’s too short. I’d say realistically, we’re looking at nearer to 10 years from now.”

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About the author

Steve Carroll

A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.

A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.

Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.

What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

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