Graeme McDowell dreams of bringing the Open Championship back to Royal Portrush
Graeme McDowell, the man who started it all, has now come out with his latest dream to bring the Open Championship, also known as the British Open, back to his home town, Portrush.
The first Northern Irishman to win the US Open last year, was the guiding light which led country mate Rory McIlroy to bag another consecutive title for the country. McDowell was speaking to a congregation at the University of Ulster where he was awarded
with a Honourary Doctorate (D.Sc) degree for his services to the sport in the country.
"That is a dream of mine. To play the Open Championship in Portrush is a wild dream, to play a European Tour event in Portrush is an achievable dream and I will do everything I can to make it happen," McDowell said after receiving his doctorate degree form
the university.
The 31-year-old Irishman was enrolled at the University of Alabama in pursuance of a degree in Mechanical Engineering but had to give up the attempt after he turned professional in 2002.
This is not the first time McDowell has come up with his hope of bringing the major championship to Portrush and has expressed his desire time and again. Back to back US Open victories by the Irishman, has given a new impetus to his desire and McDowell believes
that his compatriots McIlroy as well as Padraig Harrington will come out to support his views.
"I know myself and Rory would be behind a Northern Ireland event with the potential of then getting the British Open back to Portrush, that would be something," McDowell added.
The Open Championship was held at the Royal Portrush back in 1951 and since then, the event was pulled out of rotation. Being the oldest golf major in the world, the championship is administered by the Royal and Ancient and is staged at one of the nine links
courses in Scotland and England.
The first open Championship was held in 1860 and was won by Scot Willie Park, Snr. South African Louis Oosthuizen is the current defending champion of the $4.8-million event.
McDowell confided that he was more nervous speaking at the congregation than he had ever been in his life, even more than on his 18th hole at the Pebble Beach last year. The celebrated golfer was accompanied by his parents Kenny and Marian, sitting
in the front row and watching as McDowell collected his honourary degree with a big grin.
The player concluded, "I've been fortunate in my career, I've had a lot of good breaks, so it's been an amazing experience."
McDowell emphasized the young generation to have bigger ambitions in life and to pursue a career which is closer to their God gifted talents.
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