The R&A is reportedly "getting pretty close" to selecting Portmarnock Golf Club in Dublin as a potential future venue for The Open Championship, marking a significant step towards hosting the historic tournament outside of the United Kingdom.
Padraig Harrington, a three-time major champion and Dublin native, voiced his enthusiasm for the possibility, emphasizing that Ireland would be a fitting location for the championship. "I've always thought an Open could move outside of Britain and what better place than Ireland," Harrington stated. He highlighted that The R&A manages golf globally outside of the US and Mexico and that the championship already holds qualifiers in various international locations, underscoring the global nature of "The Open."
Fellow Irish golfers Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have also publicly supported the idea of Portmarnock hosting the event. Lowry, the 2019 Open champion, recently visited the club and commented on the ongoing speculation, suggesting that an announcement could be made at some point. "Who knows, it would be amazing to have an Open Championship in Dublin. One of the biggest tournaments in the world coming to a place where I live would be very cool," Lowry said. He further noted that Portmarnock is "one of the best golf courses in the world so I think it's fit for an Open" and would be a successful venue with existing infrastructure.
St Andrews is scheduled to host next year's Open, followed by Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2028. Beyond these confirmed venues, The R&A has not yet announced other future host locations.