15 July 2019: The 148th Open Championship has a festive undertone that is hard to miss. Northern Ireland has endured an unfairly large share of pain and agony over the years, trying to shape its own identity and future. The Open at the Royal Portrush Golf Club is a reminder that the region has made significant strides towards peace and prosperity since the grim darkness of what was simply known as “the troubles” made way for a peaceful co-existence with the English riding on the Belfast Agreement.
The blue and gold of the Open Championship sits nicely on this rugged coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. The Dunluce Links are hosting the Open for the first time since 1951 and folks in Antrim County could not have asked for a better homecoming to celebrate a new era of development and growth.
With the ruins of the medieval Dunluce castle in the backdrop, the course offers a great challenge to the golfers this week. The Champion Golfer of 2018, Francesco Molinari was brought to the course this morning for a ceremonial separation with his treasured prize from the heroic efforts at Carnoustie.
After a bit of work on the range, he has signed in for a practice round from the first tee at 0400pm local time (0830pm, IST).
Our own Shubhankar Sharma, fresh off a solid week at Renaissance in Scotland, reached Northern Ireland last night. With scores of 71, 67, 66 & 66 – Shubhankar enjoyed one of his best weeks of the season. And even though a T34 might not draw too many exclamations, what is exciting is the quality of golf that came off the young man’s bag in the Scottish Open.
He has done enough to restore his confidence after enduring some bruises recently. Shubhankar missed the cut in three of the starts leading into the Scottish Open and was looking out of sorts as he struggled to maintain consistency around the course.
The 7337 yard test at Portrush will offer a terrific stage for Shubhankar to remind the world once again that he truly belongs on the biggest stages of golf.
The tee times for Thursday and Friday will be out later today, so stay tuned.
