R&A Swats Down Portrush Open Championship Stories

I've ignored the various stories reporting the "strong possibility" and "done deal" of a Royal Portrush Open Championship in 2019 (A) because they haven't announced 2017 and 2018, and (B) if there was ever a venue selection that you wait until all contracts are signed and embargoed press releases are sent, it's the R&A returning to Northern Ireland in July.

They've gone so far to issue a statement, which suggests the R&A was either not comfortable with the idea of Portrush as a lock, or as a negotiating ploy. Either way, from the Belfast Telegraph:

However, the R&A's response on Twitter labelled such reports as "Portrush rumours" and a statement released to Press Association Sport read: "As part of our commitment to examine the feasibility of staging an Open Championship at Portrush, the R&A continues to discuss this at a conceptual level with Royal Portrush Golf Club and the Northern Ireland Executive.

"Discussions have been positive but we are still some distance from being in a position to take the Open to Northern Ireland."

Even better, check out that 1951 file photo Max Faulkner, last winner at Portrush, sporting some style!