Leave it to Maureen Madill to put into perspective how big a deal hosting the 148th Open Championship is to the membership at Royal Portrush and all of her native land. It was fitting to have Darren Clarke, who made a home in Portrush after marrying Heather, a local girl, hit the opening tee shot at 6:35 am. “I teed off one year at the Masters behind (honorary starters) Jack, Gary, and Arnold, and that was a cool tee shot to hit after. “You come through my Darren Clarke Foundation and on the seventh tee I’m leading and you’re second. It got the best of Rory McIlroy, who had the weight of an entire country on his shoulders.

Source: Irish Examiner July 19, 2019 04:18 UTC