The Open: Fans start coming down on Royal Portrush golf course
Mark Simpson BBC News NI communities reporter Pacemaker The sun is out for the very first practice day at The Open Gates open to the public for the very first time on Sunday for The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush.It is the first
of four official practice days before the sold-out competition starts on Thursday.More than 275,000 viewers are anticipated during the 8 days of practice and competitors, making it the largest sporting occasion held in Northern Ireland.Holywood’s Rory McIlroy is one the favourites for The Open while Irish golfer Shane Lowry is wanting to win in Portrush, much like he carried out in 2019 when the championship was last played at the seaside town.A large wall mural has been painted near the entryway to the golf course marking his accomplishment.
Irish golf enthusiast Shane Lowry won the coveted Claret Container at The Open in Portrush in 2019 The Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in lockdowns across the globe in 2020, suggested Royal Portrush Golf Club and the surrounding town lost some of the momentum for tourist produced by the 2019 tournament.Being handed another possibility to stage the event so quickly has offered Portrush another opportunity to shine.The weather forecast for the next 7 days
is blended, so viewers have been encouraged to be prepared for sunlight and showers. Pacemaker Rickie Fowler was one of the big names on the course
on Sunday Fans took pleasure in a hot and sunny day on Northern Ireland’s north coast The Open
was first played at Portrush in 1951. Much has altered ever since as a
outcome of contemporary media.Organisers say The Open champion produces
more than 5,000 hours of international tv protection, with the competition beamed into 500 million homes.It is estimated that the champion will boost the Northern Ireland economy by more than ₤ 200m. PA Media Discovering shade was hard along the course The projection was determined by the Sport Market Research Study Centre at Sheffield Hallam University.In order to ensure traders in Portrush have the chance to share the benefits, spectators will be enabled to leave the golf course at any stage throughout the day then return later.Golf fans are allowed to bring their own food to the course
however not alcohol.A spectator town has actually been built beside the course with bars, stores and food outlets.The defending champion at The Open is American golf enthusiast Xander Schauffle who won at Royal Troon in Scotland in 2024. The 2026 championship will be played at Royal Birkdale in north-west England.