Paul McGinley believes there is a good chance the Open Championship will take place in the Republic of Ireland in the next ten years.
The only major championship to take place in Europe, the Open is among golf's most prestigious tournaments, and the Claret Jug among its most prestigious prizes.
As a result, the hosting rights for the tournament are hotly contested, and it was a major landmark when the tournament took place on Irish soil at Royal Portrush in 2019.
It was the first time the tournament had been hosted on the island of Ireland for the first time in almost 70 years - and the Open will return to Antrim in 2025.
There has been much speculation in recent weeks suggesting that the Open could venture outside of the UK for the first time ever in the coming years, with Portmarnock Golf Club pushing hard to bring the tournament to Dublin.
Paul McGinley commented on the rumours this week, and said that he thinks such an event may not be too far away.
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Paul McGinley thinks Open Championship visit to Ireland likely in next decade
The visit of the Open Championship to Royal Portrush in 2019 was only the second time the tournament had ever been held outside of Scotland or England - the previous occasion also took place in Portrush in 1951.
21 July 2019; Shane Lowry of Ireland celebrates as he walks onto the 18th green on his way to winning The Open Championship on Day Four of the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Portrush, Co Antrim. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
That the 2019 event was won by Irishman Shane Lowry only made it more memorable, and the major will return to the course in two years' time - and Paul McGinley thinks it could be visiting Dublin in the next ten years.
With the Ryder Cup coming to Adare Manor in 2027, an exciting decade is ahead for Irish golf, and McGinley said at the launch of St. Columba's College's new golf academy this week that he believes the Open Championship could follow suit in visiting Ireland in the next decade.
I think it's a reality and it's got more chance of happening than not happening, but the timeline is open. A lot of ducks have to be lined up before it could happen. But it's certainly a potential reality. Who would have thought that ten years ago?
With the Ryder Cup in 2027, wouldn't it be wonderful to have something in the diary for 2030? But I think that timeline's too short. I'd say realistically, we're looking at nearer to 10 years from now.
McGinley added his voice to the chorus calling for the tournament to visit Portmarnock, saying it was "as good" as any course on the current rota of Open Championship venues:
It will tick a lot of boxes for the R&A commercially and, while St. Andrews is unique, Portmarnock is as good as or better than anything on the current rota.
The venues for the next three Open Championships are decided, with 2024 in Royal Troon in Scotland, 2025 in Royal Portrush, and 2026 in Royal Birkdale in Southport, just outside Liverpool.
Hopes will be high among Irish golf fans that history could be made in bringing one of golf's most storied tournaments to Dublin in the years to come.
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