R&A nearing decision on historic Open Championship bid for Portmarnock
Mark Darbon confirms the R&A is close to confirming Dublin’s Portmarnock Golf Club as the first non-UK venue for the Open, with a final decision expected by year-end.
The R&A is approaching a definitive decision on whether to award the Open Championship to Portmarnock Golf Club in Dublin, with chief executive Mark Darbon indicating that the governing body is "getting pretty close" to a formal announcement. The potential move would mark a significant shift in the tournament’s geography, as Portmarnock would become the first venue outside the United Kingdom to host the Open or the AIG Women’s Open.
Darbon revealed that the extensive feasibility work required to assess the club’s capacity to host golf’s oldest championship is largely complete. Following an initial exploration of the possibility in 2023, the R&A has undertaken a comprehensive study involving the golf club, local authorities, and the Irish government. Darbon confirmed that the organisation believes it can successfully stage the event at the Dublin venue, provided a sustainable long-term model is established.
Financial support from the Irish government remains a cornerstone of the bid, with Dublin announcing backing for up to 40 million euros in 2024. However, Darbon noted that the dialogue with officials is still focused on building a framework that accommodates both the Open and the AIG Women’s Open for many years to come. He described the process as complex due to the scale of the tournament, admitting that the timeline has extended slightly beyond initial expectations.
Despite the delays, Darbon expressed optimism that discussions with the Irish government are progressing in the right direction. He stated that the R&A aims to have a "pretty clear view" on the hosting rights by the end of the year. The announcement would follow the tournament’s scheduled visits to St Andrews next year and Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2028, breaking the traditional rotation of UK-based venues.
The prospect of an Open in Dublin has garnered support from prominent Irish golfers, including 2019 champion Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy. Lowry, who visited the club recently, described Portmarnock as one of the world’s best courses and expressed confidence that the existing infrastructure would ensure a successful event. While Lowry acknowledged that the club is not publicly detailing every aspect of the negotiations, he suggested that rumours of an imminent announcement are well-founded.
