The Open Championship is on the cusp of a seismic shift – and this time it's not just about the golf. For the first time in its 157-year history, the world's oldest major could be held outside the UK, with Portmarnock Golf Club in Dublin poised to host the prestigious tournament. Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of the R&A, confirmed that a decision on whether to stage The Open at Portmarnock is 'getting pretty close' following significant progress on feasibility studies.
The prospect of an Irish Open was first mooted by the R&A in 2023 and has since gathered pace with a substantial commitment from the Irish government in 2024 – pledging up to €40 million (approximately £34 million) in financial support for the event. Portmarnock boasts a rich golfing heritage, having previously hosted both men's and women's amateur championships, making it an ideal candidate to host one of golf's most coveted tournaments.
While there are complexities involved in bringing The Open to a new venue, extensive feasibility work has been conducted with Portmarnock Golf Club, local authorities, and the Irish government. This comprehensive study has reinforced the R&A's conviction that an Open Championship can be successfully staged at the Dublin location.
As the talks with the Irish government continue, Darbon remains optimistic but acknowledges that finalising arrangements has taken longer than initially anticipated. However, he expressed hope for a 'pretty clear view' on the matter by the end of 2026. The move is part of a broader strategy to create opportunities for both The Open and the AIG Women's Open in the years ahead.
The potential move has won over leading Irish golfers Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, who have publicly backed the idea. Lowry recently visited Portmarnock and described the course as 'one of the best golf courses in the world', predicting it would be 'very successful' for the R&A.
Looking ahead to 2027, St Andrews will play host to The Open, followed by a return to Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2028 – marking its first appearance there in 16 years. Beyond that, the R&A has not yet confirmed any future host venues, leaving the door open for Portmarnock to potentially join the esteemed rotation.