The Irish Open, which has taken place over the past four days, despite the rain, attracted over 100,000 spectators to the magnificent Royal Portrush.
The crowds were hoping for an Irish winner on the last day and were willing on Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, Darren Clare, Graeme McDowell and Pádriag Harrington to take the title.
As the completion came to a close though on the fourth day, it was Harrington who was the last real hope of Irelands golfers to take the title, but it was not to be, and Welshman Jamie Donaldson took victory, winning his first European tour win after years of trying.
Undeterred by the rain, crowds descended on Portrush to watch the Irish Open, despite the typical varied weather of occasional sunshine and more regular heavy showers. Over the 4 days, visitors and tourists, as well as golfing enthusiasts on golf vacations in Ireland were out in large numbers to watch all rounds including the Pro-am and practice rounds.
So impressed where the golfers and visitors to the area of Portrush, the Irish Open ended with the golfers from around the world praising the course of Royal Portrush and with official talk of future Irish Opens taking place at this beautiful venue on the north coast of Ireland.