Tourism chiefs in NI confident of another swift return of the Open
The 153rd Open at Portrush was the second-best attended event in the championship's long history.
When the Open came to Northern Ireland in 2019 after an almost 70-year absence, tournament organisers, the R&A, committed to staging it at Royal Portrush at least two more times.
There was surprise at how soon the sporting showpiece then returned, especially as the event skipped a year because of the pandemic in 2020.
Tourism NI is now hopeful that there will be a similar timeline for the next staging of the major championship on the region's scenic north coast.
The tourism promotion body's director of events Aine Kearney said the R&A's feedback on last week's event had been overwhelmingly positive.
'We've had really positive engagement with senior people in the R&A and they just told us how well it's gone,' she said.
'And we hope that puts us in a really good place in terms of them coming back as quickly as they did after 2019.'
She added: 'It's been an outstanding success. And I think that's something that's been echoed by the R&A, we've heard the same from the golfers, we've heard the same from all the visitors that have come to experience not only the golf but also the destination.
'The feedback has been absolutely fabulous in terms of how successful it's been, and how much we've been able to shine a light on Northern Ireland as a fabulous destination.'
After the 2019 Open in Portrush, revenue generated by golf tourism in Northern Ireland has jumped by 66% to £86 million per annum. Ms Kearney said there was hope the trade would see a similar 'bounce' on the back of this year's event.
'What we do know is that there were a lot of people playing golf while they were here (for the Open),' she said.
'The reports we have from all of our golf clubs is that their tee time sales this week were absolutely unbelievable and that puts them in a really good position, not only from the income they got from that to be able to continue to invest in their product, but also the advocacy that will come from the people that played.'
She added: 'Hopefully, from that advocacy and the 100 million viewers across 190 countries that saw not only the world's best golfers playing, but also the magic of the landscape and the destination … we hopefully will look to see a similar increase to what we saw on the back of 2019, that was a 66% increase to £86 million.
'If we get that similar bounce again, we'll be very, very happy.'
Ms Kearney said her overriding emotion following the tournament was 'pride'.
'It's absolute pride in terms of how we turned up as a destination, how we showed the world just what an amazing place this is to live, to visit and invest,' she said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
The golf is fine but it is the scenery I love the most
To be honest, despite 40 years - more or less - of living in Scotland, if I say the word home I still usually mean Northern Ireland and that corner of the province at the top of the map slightly to the right of Derry/Londonderry. Which meant when it came to the TV coverage of the Open all I wanted to see were the drone shots of the coast. The golf I could take or leave. Read More On radio, though, the sport had a rather meditative, relaxing quality. Golf, like snooker, is the nearest sport to an ASMR video (autonomous sensory meridian response, but you all knew that), or, in the circumstances, ASMR audio. The BBC could package the whispery commentary, the satisfying smack of golf club on ball and the polite applause that results; the BBC could easily package it as a well-being broadcast. It probably helped that on Sunday there wasn't much sporting tension or jeopardy. Scottie Scheffler's road to Open victory was, for the most part, a procession. Local hero Rory McIlroy was one of the many who couldn't get close to him. Golf - with its inbuilt gaps in play as players hustle to catch up with their ball - requires its commentators to fill the airtime with little word portraits and that's the fun of it. Commentator Katherine Downes probably offered up my favourite, describing the fifth hole 'tumbling down towards the sea' at Royal Portrush. 'This green,' she began, 'It just looks even better today on this clear day. The sea, that patchwork of blue … these lazy, low, frothy waves collapsing onto the beach after the long trip across the Atlantic, the white jagged cliffs carved into the coastline. It is magnificent.' Yes , it is, Katherine. I've cleaned that beach. Some 25 minutes later, admittedly, she slightly overegged things. 'I don't know if you can hear it overhead,' she said, 'but just as Rory McIlroy is lining up this putt there's an enormous flock of seagulls that have come calling and corring down the hill as if to cheer on McIlroy. 'They're supporting the Northern Irishman, the Northern Irish seabirds, circling overhead.' Well, maybe. But they could also have been Scottish gulls on an awayday. 'They're must be 50, 60 of them,' she continued, 'and another flock, white flecks out to sea, settled on the blue water as McIlroy settles his feet into the green. This for a birdie. And in it goes.' It was all really rather soothing. Earlier on Sunday morning Northern Irish presenter Colin Murray was clearly enjoying his trip home for 5 Live. 'I want to start by giving you some stats. Six scoops of ice cream from Morelli's, five packets of Tayto crisps, four packets of Ritchie's Cinnamon Lozenges, three Maine pineappleades two Ulster fries and a cheeky Chinese from the Red Dragon in Ballycastle; the Open has ruined any chance of me making my summer weight.' That sounds like a perfect Northern Irish summer if you ask me. Oh, and you can get Morelli's ice cream in Tesco in Scotland now, by the way. There was something rather ASMRish too about Five Leaves Left Revisited, a new 6 Music documentary which aired in the early hours of Tuesday morning. All that delicate music and whispering vocals from one of British folk music's lost boys. Presented by Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, the programme explored - as the title suggests - the story behind the creation of a new box set dedicated to Nick Drake's first album Five Leaves Left. Drake's own story has always been defined by its tragic ending - he died aged just 26 from an overdose of antidepressants - and by the fact that no one was much interested in his music when he was alive. But this documentary wasn't really interested in the shorthand legend of the man - the stellar talent crippled by stage fright and mental health issues. No, it was more interested in the music. And so we got early recordings of the songs that made up his debut album - just Drake and guitar and tape - as well as input from his engineer John Wood and producer Joe Boyd, as well as his sister Gabrielle. The result was like an extended feature in Mojo or Uncut, where every last detail of the recording process is nailed down. Rather nerdy for the uncommitted listener, perhaps, but Drake fans will love it. And listening to those songs again had the same anaesthetic effect as listening to golf club on golf ball. I was happy to let it wash over me. Radio as comfort blanket. Listen Out For: Acqua Alta, Radio 4, Sunday, July 27, 3pm Even radio likes a good murder mystery. Julian Rhind-Tutt plays Commissario Guido Brunetti in this new two-part drama featuring author Dona Leon's Venetian detective.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Darts star launches into a bizarre rant about Scottie Scheffler's stunning existential monologue: 'He doesn't have to get an EasyJet or a Happy Bus'
Darts star James Wade has launched a bizarre rant about how darts players have it much tougher than elite-level golfers, when questioned on Scottie Scheffler's stunning monologue at The Open last week. Wade, 42, explained that darts players are under much more pressure, admitting he didn't know who the Open Champion Scheffler was and added that you cannot make comparisons between the differences in lifestyles between the top players on the PGA Tour and those competing on the professional darts circuit. He even went on to use the example of how Scheffler might fly around the world in a private jet, while darts stars will typically use lower-cost airlines. The comments came after the Surrey-born darts star, known as 'The Machine', had just completed an 11-5 victory against Wessel Nijman at the World Matchplay in Blackpool on Tuesday. Scheffler, who has now won £78.7million over the course of his glittering career, explained ahead of last week's major at Royal Portrush that he was 'wrestling' with thoughts over why he wanted to win so badly and that playing golf was 'not a fulfilling life'. After picking up the Claret Jug on Sunday, he appeared to claim that he hadn't articulated his point as well as he could. 'Am I grateful for it? Do I enjoy it? Oh, my gosh, yes, this is a cool feeling. But having success in life is not what fulfils the deepest desires of your heart,' he explained. "He doesn't have to get on an EasyJet. He doesn't have to get on a Happy Bus." This is what happens when you talk to James Wade about Scottie Scheffler and it doesn't go to plan 😂 — Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 22, 2025 James Wade (pictured with his wife Sammi) has launched a bizarre rant about Scottie Scheffler's comments last week at The Open Scheffler (pictured with his wife Meredith and son Bennett) celebrated picking up the Claret Jug on Sunday after a sensational performance at Royal Portrush Wade, meanwhile, touched on similar notes to Scheffler, who was surrounded by his family after picking up his fourth major on Sunday. 'There are more important things outside of this,' Wade told reporters. 'I want to go and eat fish and chips with my wife after this. This isn't that important. 'I'm 42 years old, there's far more important things than obsessing over this game. I just know I'm lucky enough to make money from this game. He added: 'I think people are too amplified on what you're achieving and what you're doing. I know I'm one of the best, probably top 10 in the world at the moment. Now I go home to see my wife, Arthur and Alfred [his children]. I'm winning. None of this is important. It's really not.' Wade was then quizzed on Scheffler's comments at Royal Portrush. 'I've got no idea what's happening in darts, let alone golf,' he replied, admitting he was unaware of who golf's world No 1 was. Wade then added: 'It sounds really disrespectful, I don't really care what's happening in darts.' The darts star admitted he 'tipped his hat' to those playing on the PGA Tour and DP World tour, adding that they were playing golf to 'provide for their family.' Earlier in the week he had suggested that he wasn't feeling 'fulfilled' by playing elite-level golf Wade, meanwhile, claimed victory at the World Matchplay on Tuesday night, but appeared to claim that the lives and golfers and darts players were 'not comparable' Wade, who has won eight PDC Premier events in his glittering career, then interestingly commented on how different the lives of darts players are to those of elite-level golfers. 'I'm not really interested in what another golf player says because golf players aren't even close to being on the pressure or the pedestal that darts players are put upon,' Wade told reporters at Blackpool's Winter Gardens. 'You can't compare that. When he gets in his private jet... he doesn't have to get on an easyJet, he doesn't have to get on a happy bus, he doesn't have to do all those things. 'So it's not comparable really. He added: 'It's quite amazing that darts players achieve when they don't have all that. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be on a private jet and use a backward [private] entrance at an airport. 'But I'm a darts player. I will use easyJet, Ryanair, because I am what I am.' He went on to praise darts players for the way in which they go about their craft. 'I think what darts players do and how much they travel and where they go and how they get treated is some kind of bloody miracle,' he said. 'When someone like yourself compares them to golfers, it's not relevant, it's detached.' Wade stated that 'I don't really care what's happening in darts' claiming there were more important things in life He then challenged a reporter to follow darts players around the world to compete, while also referencing that it was not about the prize money that darts players can win. 'It's nothing about money, it's just how they travel. Would you travel 12 hours to get to a floor tournament?' Wade, though, was keen not to cause any offence to Scheffler directly. He added: 'Sorry, I didn't mean that in a rude way. That's just how it really is. 'There's no PDC player that gets any special treatment. I wish I was. I wish I did. 'If this guy wants to invite me on his private jet to go to a tournament, I'm your man.' He joked: 'I might even wash his car before it.' Scheffler: 'This is not a fulfilling life' Speaking last week ahead of The Open, Scheffler, who has now picked up 17 career wins on the PGA Tour, stunned reporters at Royal Portrush, by appearing to question why he was playing golf. Scheffler made similar comments last week in Portrush, stating that winning majors was 'not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart' But upon winning his fourth major, Scheffler went on to clarify the comments, stating that he was 'grateful' to win The Open 'This is not a fulfilling life,' he said. 'It's fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment but it's not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart. 'There are a lot of people that make it to what they thought was going to fulfil them in life, and you get there, you get to number one in the world, and they're like, 'what's the point?' 'I really do believe that because, what is the point? Why do I want to win this tournament so bad? That's something that I wrestle with on a daily basis.' Scheffler was clinical. In typical fashion he once again showed why he is the World No 1, beating his nearest competitor, Harris English, by four shots, posting a card of 17-under-par for the week. 'I've worked my entire life to become good at this game and play for a living. It's one of the great joys of my life and to win The Open is a feeling that's hard to describe,' Scheffler said after lifting the Claret Jug. He clarified his comments earlier in the week, admitting that he was hugely grateful to be able to have this level of success but that there were other things in life that motivated him. 'Am I grateful for it? Do I enjoy it? Oh, my gosh, yes, this is a cool feeling. But having success in life is not what fulfils the deepest desires of your heart. On the 18th green, Scheffler was joined by his young son Bennett and his wife Meredith. His face immediately lit up when the American, who now only needs to win the US Open to win the Career Grand Slam, saw his family 'Just because you win a golf tournament doesn't make you happy - but I'm pretty excited to celebrate this one.' On the 18th green, Scheffler was joined by his young son Bennett and his wife Meredith. His face immediately lit up when the American, who now only needs to win the US Open to win the Career Grand Slam, saw his family. 'When I saw my family, that was a pretty special feeling,' Scheffler said, after he had admitted that he'd quit golf if it ever had an effect on his family. 'It's one that's very hard to describe. It's something I'm very grateful for and something that I'll hold on to for a long time.'
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy's 'disgusting behaviour' claim from PGA Tour star's dad rubbished by Open winner
The father of Xander Schauffele has sensationally claimed he will not be attending the 2025 Ryder Cup following Rory McIlroy's behaviour in 2023, and one golf legend has now hit back Two-time major champion Tony Jacklin has fired back at the father of 2024 Open winner Xander Schauffele, after he stated he would boycott the Ryder Cup. Stefan Schauffele criticised Rory McIlroy's conduct at the 2023 Ryder Cup as "disgusting." McIlroy was involved in a confrontation with members of the US team and exchanged heated words with Patrick Cantlay's caddie, Joe LaCava, at Italy's Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Europe ultimately secured a 161⁄2-111⁄2 victory at the event. The dispute escalated when McIlroy felt that Cantlay celebrated his match-winning putt for too long, preventing him from finishing his own game. The altercation continued in a car park, where McIlroy was overheard calling the situation "a f*****g disgrace." The issue was eventually resolved, with LaCava reportedly offering an apology, reports Belfast Live. However, Schauffele Snr's remarks have irked 81-year-old Jacklin, a Hall of Famer and former Ryder Cup captain. Speaking to Champions (UK) Plc, a business consultancy based in the Midlands, Jacklin defended the competitive spirit of the Ryder Cup. He said: "One thing that p****d me off was the comments from Stefan Schauffele, when he said the Ryder Cup is losing its lustre because of the behaviour of the players and fans, and said Rory's reaction last time was 'disgusting'. "But Rory was absolutely right in what he did. You'll always get heated moments in matches. I remember in Boston when the Americans ran on the green, I was the first to say there was no malice behind it, and that it was just pure exuberance. "Obviously there has to be that mutual respect between the teams, but there's always elements of the media that take them out of context. The Ryder Cup is still a must-watch, a hugely important event in the game of golf. I have every reason to believe Europe can do it again." The 2023 incident also saw Shane Lowry quickly usher McIlroy away from the clubhouse and into a courtesy car after the golf star was seen angrily shouting near Justin Thomas' caddie Jim 'Bones' Mackay. McIlroy later admitted that he experienced a moment of "red mist" during the altercation but assured that they resolved the issue afterwards. "Things happen in the heat of the moment, tensions were high," McIlroy said to the BBC."Joe LaCava came into the European team room on the Sunday night and had a drink and a chat." Last week, Schaufelle Snr shocked the golfing world by announcing his decision to skip the New York-based competition in September. Stefan expressed his frustration with the abuse Lowry's wife, Wendy, endured at the 2021 contest at Whistling Straits and the ongoing controversy over US stars receiving payments to play in the prestigious tournament. "I'm not going to the Ryder Cup," he said. "I'm afraid of what's going to happen in New York. I was there [at Whistling Straits in 2021] when they called Shane Lowry's wife a w**** in front of him. I couldn't believe my ears. "I saw what happened in Rome [in 2023]. That was utterly disgusting, claiming this money bulls***. And Rory behaved disgustingly in my opinion. It's only going to get worse. It's ruined my appetite for the Ryder Cup. It becomes unwatchable." The 45th Ryder Cup is set to take place at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, from September 26–28, 2025.
