READY FOR AN ADRENALINE ‘RUSH

FRANCESCO MOLINARI was a little bit awestruck the last time he played golf in

Portrush.

Six years ago Molinari arrived at the famous links for the Irish Open, to learn he had been drawn to play the first two rounds with Darren Clarke.

Apart from being a very local hero, Clarke was the reigning British Open champion, having won his first major title at Royal St

George’s the previous summer.

“I still remember that now,” said Molinari, who has just emulated Clarke’s Claret Jug winning achievement.

“The atmosphere was something else.”

The 35-year-old Italian is looking forward to arriving in Portrush as the defending champion as The Open comes to the seaside Antrim town for the first time in 68 years.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a great championship, a great Open,” he smiled.

“I’ve heard they’ve changed the course quite a lot. But hopefully by then this victory will have sunk in, and I’ll realise what I’ve done!”

Rory Mcilroy – one of four players to finish in second place, two shots behind Molinari – added: “The

2019 Open is something that’s been on my radar for a long time. I never thought I’d be able to play an Open at home.

“I’m going to be very proud to showcase where I’m from and to play in front of all the people who have supported me throughout my career. It is going to be really cool.

“It would have been nice to go in there with a

Claret Jug but I’m excited to play an

Open at Portrush. That will be unbelievable.”

Clarke (below with Mcilroy last week) also can’t wait for next summer to roll around. He will be 50 by the time the championship is played at what is a home venue for him. “It’s hard to contain the excitement now we are one year out from The Open,” Clarke said.

“The place is buzzing, I’ve been in Portrush a lot recently.

“It’s going to be a huge honour and privilege to have the biggest tournament in the world in our town.”