Paisley: Open to return to Royal Portrush in 2025

Shane Lowry wins at Royal Portrush in 2019

Rory McIlroy might have kissed his hopes of Open glory goodbye at Royal St George’s but he could get a chance to lift the Claret Jug again on home soil as soon an 2025.

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley, vice chair of the All Parliamentary group for golf at Westminster, says The Open will be back at Royal Portrush in four years.

"I'm delighted it's coming back to Northern Ireland and the smart money is on 2025,” Mr Paisley told the BBC at Sandwich.

"We're making sure the course is prepared and there is a lot of political work going on behind the scenes.

"St Andrews (which hosts the 150th Open next year) takes over tomorrow when here is finalised and I would like to think that there will an official announcement about Northern Ireland and Royal Portrush next year.”

McIlroy, who famously missed the cut at Royal Portrush in 2019, shot a one-under 69 and goes into the final round tied for 41st on one-under, 11 strokes shots behind South African Louis Oosthuizen.

The 2010 champion post a 69 to lead by one stroke from American Collin Morikawa (68) and by three from Jordan Spieth (69) on 12-under par with defending champion Shane Lowry tied 12th on five-under after a 69