The secret underground tunnel where Open golfers hide from thunderstorms but only certain stars can use it at Portrush
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
SUPERSTAR golfers have a secret way of escaping thunderstorms when they strike at Open venue Royal Portrush - a secret underground tunnel that burrows through the sand dunes.
Storms have hit the course this week already, causing practice rounds to be suspended.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Keegan Bradley and Patrick Cantlay take cover in the tunnel
Credit: Getty
5
Golfers, their caddies and officials shelter away from the storms
Credit: Getty
5
Akshay Bhatia of United States walks through the tunnel during a practice round
Credit: Getty
And more wet weather is predicted with heavy run and thunder forecast for the County Antrim coastline later this week.
However The Open stars like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have a secret escape route from the storms by sheltering in safety in a 65-yard underground tunnel.
The man-made subway passes from the 10th green to the 11th tee, and was built so players can escape the log-jam of golf fans at The Open.
It goes underneath between 9th tee and 6th green and runs for 65 yards.
Read more on The Open
ROYAL RUMBLE Hole-by-hole guide to Royal Portrush including brutal par 3 named Calamity
But this week it has served a second purpose — as a different type of bunker to the other 59 on the famous old course.
When thunderstorms hit the course during Monday's practice round, American golf stars Keegan Bradley and Patrick Cantlay took shelter in the tunnel as play was suspended due to the threat of lightning.
And more storms are forecast for Thursday's open round.
However only those players who are on that corner of the seaside course will be able to shelter if thunderstorms hit.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
If R&A chiefs decide to suspend pay over fears of lightning, the rest of the players on the course will be shuttled back to the clubhouse in golf buggies.
The tunnel took a year to build and was dug before the 2019 Open to allow players to speedily move from green to tee despite the thousands of fans.
The area at the back of the 10th green is a real bottleneck and golf chiefs feared chaos if players were forced to make their way through the crowds.
The 10th green is also close to the 8th and 6th greens, and to the 9th and 11th tees in one of the most congested parts of the course.
Open Championship golf club Royal Portrush has 65-yard underground tunnel for players to escape fans
5
The secret man-made tunnel runs from the 10th green to the 11th tee
5
Players simply disappear into the dunes when they go underground in the tunnel
So the 65-yard tunnel allows players to quickly move from the 10th green to the 11th tee and bypass the crowds.
156 golfers are competing at Royal Portrush aiming to walk away with the prestigious Claret Jug on Sunday evening.
Around 275,000 fans are expected to visit the iconic Dunluce links venue across the eight days of both practice and tournament rounds.
Xander Schauffele is the defending champion after his stunning performance at Royal Troon last year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
13 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Christian Horner tipped to become Lewis Hamilton's new Ferrari boss, day after Brit driver's brutal response to sacking
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMULA 1 legend Jacques Villeneuve says Christian Horner "doesn't seem to be affected by pressure" so could be Ferrari's team principal. However, if Lewis Hamilton's response to the news of Horner's sacking is anything to go off, it may not be the match Villeneuve thinks it could be. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Horner was sacked three days after the British Grand Prix Credit: Getty 4 Allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him by a female colleague in February 2024 Credit: Getty 4 He's been tipped to join Ferrari Credit: AFP 4 Villeneuve thinks he could 'shoulder the pressure' of Ferrari Credit: Getty Horner was sacked by Red Bull earlier this month after 20 years from his position as team principal. The team have not publicly provided a reason for his dismissal. Allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him by a female colleague in February 2024. Horner - who is currently out of work - has denied these allegations. Speaking to Vision4Sport, who provide Formula 1 tickets and packages, 1997 world champion Villeneuve said on the Brit: "Christian Horner to Ferrari would be an interesting one. read more in f1 Bel tolls Fears for future of iconic F1 track that's set to disappear from calendar "He's been solid, doesn't seem to have been very affected by pressure, even in tough times. "So, he might well be one that could be able to shoulder Ferrari." But on Thursday, Hamilton gave a brutal response to a question on Horner's sacking ahead of the Belgium Grand Prix. With a dead-pan look on his face, he said: "It doesn't change anything in my life." BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK That comment was followed by an awkward silence in the press conference. Hamilton - who stunned the F1 world when he switched from Mercedes to Ferrari - failed to podium at the British Grand Prix earlier this month. Lewis Hamilton looks close to tears in live TV interview after 'terrible' performance His fourth place finish brought an end to finishing in the top three for 12 Silverstone races in a row as he finished behind Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished second at the Monaco Grand Prix in May behind McLaren's Lando Norris. And Villeneuve thinks this inconsistent form is a reoccurring theme for the Italian team. He said: "It's like that every year. It's really bad, and then suddenly they win in Monaco. "Then it's great and they've turned the corner, then it goes back to being very bad and so on. So, let's wait." Ferrari principle Fred Vasseur has been in focus this season, with fans questioning if time will run out for him after a tricky season for the Italian team. Asked about Vasseur's future, Villeneuve said the job is always a "risky proposition". He said: 'The team principal at Ferrari is always under threat. That's the name of the game. "When you accept going to Ferrari, you know that you're walking on fire, you're walking on eggs. It's always a risky proposition. "And if you take that job, which puts you in the limelight, you have to accept the consequences, which means it's easy to just be chopped 'You live under constant pressure, and you have to accept it from the media, from everyone and you complain about it because a team principal there is always one who managed to remove his predecessor. "There's always a lot of politics. So, if it happens to Vasseur there should not be any surprise."
Scottish Sun
13 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Horse racing tips: This 92-1 each-way double is worth a go on King George day at Ascot
Read on for our picks FIVER FLUTTER Horse racing tips: This 92-1 each-way double is worth a go on King George day at Ascot Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUN Racing goes hunting some big-price winners on a busy Saturday of action. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up LONGSHOT KODI LION (3.00 Ascot) He has an excellent record over this course and distance and has performed in a big field. He can go well again for trainer Mick Appleby. EACH-WAY THIEF ROYAL DRESS (2.20 Ascot) She looked well up to this level when winning a Listed race at Pontefract last time. There's more to come. HICKORY (3.35 Ascot) He's a hold-up horse so will need some luck in running but Jamie Spencer can steer him into the first four at a track he likes. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Scottish Sun
43 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
I've got a huge 18-1 tip on King George day at Ascot… where we could soon be talking about a new master trainer
We could be talking about this for years to come MATT CHAPMAN I've got a huge 18-1 tip on King George day at Ascot… where we could soon be talking about a new master trainer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONCE in France it was all about the master trainer Fabre. Now there's Graffard. On Saturday at Ascot Graffard has the chance to do something that Fabre hasn't yet done and land a second Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Back at his beloved Ascot can Calandagan get the better of Jan Brueghel in their epic rematch? Find out live on ITV1 at 4.10pm Credit: PA This is big. Francis-Henri Graffard, one of the most likeable handlers you could meet, saddles a horse in CALANDAGAN who might just have been much maligned in the mile-and-a-half summer showpiece. For much of his career Calandagan has been ridden as if he's a nutter. Held up miles off the pace. Given loads to do. Because he's been gelded, it's been easy to assume that he's got issues. However, on occasions, Calandagan has managed to win and looked a beast. It was at Royal Ascot last year that the strapping son of Gleneagles came from last - on the home bend - to first to grab the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes. It was quite extraordinary, although not the strongest renewal with the benefit of hindsight. He went on to chase home Anmaat in the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes, also at Ascot and again given plenty of ground to make up. This season he was second (well held) in Meydan to Danon Decile and chased home Jan Brueghel when seemingly outbattled in the Coronation Cup at Epsom. Three runner-up spots got some wondering about Calandagan's attitude. But what's important is what happened on June 29 at Saint-Cloud. That day regular partner Mickael Barzalona rode Calandagan like a normal horse, settling in fourth but not that far off the gallop. Ultimately he would go on and hack up in that Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, suggesting he might not be quite the fruitcake some of us might have thought. Fabre has only won the King George once, and that was with the great Hurricane Run in 2006. Graffard, of course, took the big race with Goliath last year. If Calandagan scores he will become the first trainer to land consecutive renewals of the King George with a different horse since Sir Michael Stoute did so via Conduit and Harbinger in 2009/10. This is no one-horse race. But Calandagan only has three rivals and a pacemaker to beat. Taking on the Aga Khan's four-year-old are Jan Brueghel, Rebel's Romance and Kalpana. Aidan O'Brien's Jan Brueghel saw off Calandagan in the Coronation Cup, but as I've said under different tactics here I expect a change in result. That said, Jan Brueghel is crucial and has every chance. Also, he brings with him Continuous, who will set the gallop despite once being a Classic winner in the St Leger. Rebel's Romance is an absolute warrior for Godolphin. He's won nearly £11million in prize money and two Breeders' Cup Turf races along the way. However, he was only third last year and I suspect he will find one or two too good again. He would also like firm ground. Kalpana gets 3lb from her rivals, and she's pretty good for Andrew Balding, landing last season's Group 1 Qipco British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at this course. However, she hasn't been good enough this term to defeat Whirl and Los Angeles and she will need more here to score. For many today the big betting race is the International Handicap over 7f. I'll chance OLIVER SHOW for the Billy Loughnane and George Boughey team. A mark of 98 is harsh enough for my hope, but he ran really well in the Lincoln at Doncaster off 95 before never getting involved after a slow start in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot. That 7f will have been short enough in any case for a horse who has raced up to 1m2f. With a normal start and getting back to the Lincoln form he would have an each-way chance. Finally at York all eyes are on the exciting ALMAQAM in the Sky Bet Group 2 York Stakes over an extended 1m2f. I'm all over Ed Walker's stable star here under the excellent Kieran Shoemark. This colt has always been held in high regard and saw off Ombudsman when last seen in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown. He can go from the front or come off the pace and stays strong. The going is also ideal. Everything is set for a massive run in a decent field. Only slight concern is he does give plenty of weight to the three-year-olds. But he really should win. What a Saturday. Racing fit for a King. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
