The 148th Open, Royal Portrush

The 148th Open,

Royal Portrush 2019

The Open quickly became the fastest-selling event in the Championship’s history, and with over 237,000 spectators it broke more records as the best-attended Open outside of St Andrew’s, the home of golf.

In an electric atmosphere at Royal Portrush, all of the players, particularly Lowry, McIlroy, McDowell and Clarke, received phenomenal support from fans, while a number of international golfers made high-profile visits to the attractions on their doorstep along the Causeway Coast. Tiger Woods described the Royal Portrush golf course as “unbelievable” and praised the people of Northern Ireland as “so respectful” and “absolutely fantastic”.

With so many home-grown heroes, excitement for The 148th Open built amongst the players as well as the fans. Prior to the event Rory McIlroy who lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool in 2014 said,

“For me, Northern Ireland really is made for golf. I’d urge anyone who hasn’t played on one of our many superb courses to give it a go. It really is one special place to play the game.”

Shane Lowry expressed how it was a special time for his caddy as well as him.

Lowry’s caddy, Brian Martin (Bo) grew up in the small town of Ardglass in Northern Ireland.

He is a former back-to-back Ardglass golf club champion, one of Northern Ireland’s hidden gem links courses. On the strength of a final-round of The Open on Sunday, fans revelled as Shane Lowry played the best golf of his career, winning The 148th Open at Royal Portrush in a six-shot romp over runner-up Tommy Fleetwood.

The win is the first major championship for the 32-yearold, who burst onto the professional scene a decade ago with a win at 2009 Irish Open as a 22-year-old amateur. At the time if an amateur won they could not claim the prize money.

A decade later, Lowry strode up the 18th fairway at Portrush to a raucous ovation. On The 148th Open Lowry said, “Honestly, that’s the most incredible day I’ve ever had on the golf course. I honestly can’t explain what it was like. I said to Bo walking off the 17th tee, ‘we might never have a day like this on the golf course again. So let’s enjoy this next half hour’.”

In September 2021 The R&A announced that The Open is set for a triumphant return to Royal Portrush Golf Club, they are confirmed as the host The 153rd Open and excitement for the event is already building.

Shane Lowry & Brian Martin