Portmarnock members overwhelmingly approve course changes for The Open

Portmarnock Golf Club’s bid to host The Open and the AIG Women’s Open is now in the hands of the R&A and the goverment after members overwhelmingly approved changes to the historic links.

Architects Mackenzie & Ebert proposed course modifications that would facilitate the hosting of the Women’s Open and the game’s oldest major at the north Dublin club.

The changes were approved by over 90pc of the ordinary members who attended a Special General Meeting online or in person today

It’s now up to goverment, which has promised up to €40m in funding, and the R&A to agree how best to stage a modern major at the  course and work out what infrastructure works will be required.

While no dates have been made public, it’s likely the Women’s Open would come first, followed by The Open itself.

The changes proposed include making the par-four second a par-three, playing  to the same green and modifying the fifth hole by building a new green and moving the tee back 40 yards.

This would eliminate safety concerns as the fifth green is in the line players driving at the 398-yard third.

The 17th would become the 18th for The Open with the 18th becoming the first hole.

Several new back tees and bunkers will also be built to make the course a better challenge for the game’s best players.

The par three 12th green will also be softened and expanded to allow for more pin positions while the practice range will be reformed.