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TSN Senior Reporter

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The R&A ended all the rumours and speculation Monday by confirming that the Open Championship will head outside of Scotland and England for the first time in nearly 70 years. It’s just the second time in 150 years that the oldest championship in golf has been outside those two locations.

Royal Portrush, regarded by many as one of the world’s top links layouts, will play host to the 2019 championship. It was last held in Northern Ireland in 1951.

“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,” Peter Unsworth, the chairman of The R&A’s Championship Committee, said in a release. “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.”  

The Dunluce course at Royal Portrush will undergo significant changes prior to the hosting of the tournament. Two new holes will be added – they will play as the seventh and eighth – to replace the current 17th and 18th which will be used as land for a spectator village and other tournament hosting operations.

There will also be an increase in length, by approximately 200 yards, and the addition of some bunkers, which are still quite scarce over the course with just 62.

The changes are expected to be complete by mid-2016.

The news brought a flurry of excitement from the top golfers from Northern Ireland. In a statement in a press release from the R&A, Rory McIlroy lauded the decision.

“Royal Portrush is one of my favourite golf courses in the world,” the statement read. “I think it will be a fantastic Open venue. They are going to add a couple of new holes to the golf course and I think that will be a great addition and will make the course even stronger. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Graeme McDowell sent out a Tweet saying it’s been a long dream of his to play the Open at home.

“So pleased for everyone involved bringing @TheOpen back to @royalportrush. It's been a dream of mine from a young age and proud to be part.”

Darren Clarke, who won the Open in 2011, said: “This is going to be absolutely huge for Northern Ireland and, indeed, Ireland as a whole. To have the world’s biggest and best golf championship played at such a fantastic venue as Royal Portrush, with all the passion that the Irish fans will bring to the event, is going to be amazing.”

The R&A said the event will bring approximately $140 million in economic benefit to Northern Ireland.

Next year’s Open heads to Royal Troon, followed by Royal Birkdale in 2017 and Carnoustie in 2018.