The R&A has announced that Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland will host the Open Championship in 2019, only the second time golf's oldest major will have been played outside England and Scotland.
Portrush has not hosted a major championship since the 1951 Open won by Max Faulkner, but the Irish Open drew massive crowds there in 2012 and the likes of major champions Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell have been lobbying on Portrush's behalf.
Former R&A chief executive Peter Dawson had previously cited the record-breaking attendance at the 2012 Irish Open as both an ''eye opener'' and ''tipping point'' when it came to deliberations about taking the tournament across the Irish sea.
In August last year, club members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the course changes required to host the Open, which will be staged from July 18-21.
Peter Unsworth, R&A Championship Committee chairman, said: "We are very much looking forward to bringing The Open to Royal Portrush in 2019 and believe it will be a tremendous venue for the Championship.
"We know there is great anticipation throughout Ireland at the prospect of welcoming the world's top golfers and it promises to be a hugely memorable week.
"We are delighted with the progress being made on the course preparations and they will undoubtedly enhance the challenge presented by these historic links."
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