Open on way back to parklands – McLoughlin

DARREN CLARKE might prefer a links but Dubai Duty Free boss Colm McLoughlin believes it’s only a matter of time before a parkland course hosts the Irish Open again.

The Galway native has been blown away by Ballyliffin and can’t wait to see Paul McGinley host at Lahinch after Rory McIlroy’s fouryear stint ends tomorrow.

But he’s not sure the links swing will continue, even if Dubai Duty Free generates $160 million in media exposure through its sponsorship, which will continue until 2020 with an option for two more years.

He said: “It seems at the moment that it is kind of locked into links courses although that’s not written down anywhere – but it seems to be the practice. I think it might go away from that in the future and there are some terrific courses – including The K Club – that would be a very good venue for it.

“But I keep on hearing wonderful things about Adare Manor which has been rebuilt. And the one in Kilkenny, Mount Juliet.

“And I have heard talk for a long time about Portmarnock and whenever whatever problems are there sorted out, it might go there.

“I would like to see it in the middle of the country – where people can come from everywhere.”