Ballyliffin might want to be considered for The Open but the R&A insists Portmarnock is the only Irish candidate on its shortlist as it looks to stage the game's oldest major outside the UK for the first time.

The R&A has confirmed it wishes to investigate the possibility of hosting The Open and the AIG Women's Open at Portmarnock.

Rory McIlroy confirmed the R&A are "seriously looking" at Portmarnock as a potential venue for The Open and reckons the north Dublin links would be a "fantastic" venue.

LEONA MAGUIRE could be competing for a Major on home soil before the decade's end with Portmarnock Golf Club being actively considered by the R&A as a potential venue for the AIG Women's Open.

R&A chief Martin Slumbers last night quashed all rumours that the Championship committee is planning to bring The Open to Portmarnock in the short term.

The Covid pandemic has created a great deal of uncertainty and difficulties for clubs but it has already helped create solutions.

Portmarnock Golf Club is taking the lead in the drive to improve sustainability at golf venues across Ireland after turning to environmental specialists GreenClub to help achieve its long-term goal of becoming carbon neutral.

Portmarnock Golf Club has voted overwhelmingly to bring the club into the 21st century and remove the ban on women becoming members.

Portmarnock Golf Club will take a giant step towards changing its rules and admitting women as members at a Special General Meeting set for March 31.