History of Royal Portrush Golf Club in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 15, 2025

Royal Portrush Golf Club, located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, is a prestigious 36-hole private golf club boasting two links courses: the Dunluce Links and the Valley Links. Notably, the Dunluce Links holds a prominent position as one of the courses included in the Open Championship rota. It recently hosted the Open in 2019, marking a significant moment in the club's history and solidifying its reputation as a world-class golfing destination.

1947: Fred Daly's Open Championship Win

In 1947, Fred Daly, a famous member of The Valley Links became the first Irishman to win The Open Championship.

1947: Irish Open at Royal Portrush

The Irish Open was last played at Royal Portrush in 1947.

1951: Max Faulkner Wins the Open Championship at Royal Portrush

In 1951, Max Faulkner won his sole major championship when The Open Championship was staged at Royal Portrush for the first time.

1951: Royal Portrush Hosted the Open Championship for the First Time

In 1951, Royal Portrush hosted the Open Championship for the first time, marking the first time the tournament was held outside of Great Britain.

1953: Irish Open Held in Northern Ireland

In 1953, the Irish Open was played in Northern Ireland.

1953: Previous Irish Open in Northern Ireland

The Irish Open was last held in Northern Ireland in 1953, prior to the 2012 event at Royal Portrush.

1995: Senior British Open Championship Begins at Royal Portrush

In 1995, Royal Portrush began hosting the Senior British Open Championship.

November 1996: Dunluce Links Ranked Fourth by Golf World

In November 1996, Golf World ranked the Dunluce Links course at Royal Portrush as fourth in their list of "The 100 greatest courses in the British Isles".

1999: Senior British Open Championship Continues at Royal Portrush

In 1999, Royal Portrush continued to host the Senior British Open Championship.

2004: Senior British Open Championship Hosted at Royal Portrush

In 2004, Royal Portrush hosted the Senior British Open Championship.

2007: Dunluce Links Ranked Fourth by Golf Digest

In 2007, Golf Digest ranked the Dunluce Links course as the fourth best course outside the United States.

2010: Graeme McDowell's U.S. Open Victory

In 2010, Graeme McDowell, a famous member of The Valley Links won the U.S. Open.

2010: Royal Portrush Hosts the Palmer Cup

In 2010, the Palmer Cup was held at Royal Portrush.

2011: Darren Clarke Wins The Open Championship

In 2011, Darren Clarke, a club member, repeated Fred Daly's feat by winning The Open Championship.

2012: Jamie Donaldson Wins the 2012 Irish Open

In 2012, Jamie Donaldson won the Irish Open at the club's Dunluce course. This was the first time that a European Tour event had been played in Northern Ireland, and the first time since 1953 that the Irish Open had been played in Northern Ireland.

2012: Irish Open Hosted at Royal Portrush

In 2012, Royal Portrush hosted the Irish Open, the first time it was held in Northern Ireland since 1953.

July 2019: The Open Championship Returns to Royal Portrush

In July 2019, The Open Championship returned to Royal Portrush.

2019: Royal Portrush Hosted the Open Championship

In 2019, Royal Portrush Golf Club last hosted the Open Championship tournament.

2019: Shane Lowry Wins the 2019 Open Championship

In 2019, Shane Lowry was victorious in the Open Championship.

2019: Course Changes for the 2019 Open

In 2019, a number of course changes were made to Royal Portrush in preparation for the Open Championship, including replacing the 17th and 18th holes of the original Dunluce Links with two new holes on land from the Valley Links and increasing the number of bunkers from 59 to 62.