Clarke keen for links host role

PAUL McGINLEY will host next year’s Irish Open in Lahinch and Darren Clarke would love to remain on a links course if predictions come true and he gets his turn in 2020.

While Pádraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy will also host between 2020 and 2023, Clarke admitted yesterday he’s the likely host in two years’ time.

He said: “It may be me the time after Paul and I have preferences on where I’d like to go but that would have to be agreed by the sponsor and the tour, so we shall see. But I am a firm believer that the Irish Open should be on a links.

“While I love The K Club and parklands like Killarney and all those places, a links would be my favourite.

“But not every course can host it and provide all the space that’s needed so we shall have to wait and see what happens.”