Royal Portrush Set To Host Irish Open

The 2012 Irish Open is set to be held at Royal Portrush for the first time since 1947, according to media reports.

BBC Sport reports that the European Tour is set to confirm details of the tournament at the venue on Friday.

The event, which remains without a sponsor, is set to take place from 28th June to 1st July, 2012.

Major
winners Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy have all called
for a tour event at the course on Northern Ireland’s Antrim coast.

Killarney
has hosted the event over the last two years while there has also been
speculation that it could be staged in the Dublin area in 2012, while
Carton House, near Maynooth, was also mentioned as a possible location.

US
Open champion Rory McIlroy has already guaranteed his participation at
Royal Portrush, and McDowell and Clarke have agreed to act in an
ambassadorial role for the venue, which will celebrate its 125th
anniversary in 2013.