It'll be confirmed shortly that Portrush will host the 2012 Irish Open, a year earlier than planned. Portrush pub club pro Darren Clarke will be delighted to see you.
Brian Keogh of Irish Golf Desk explains some of the issues behind the switch. Apparently, the Northern Ireland major winners were throwing their weight around:
Carton House in Co Kildare was considered by many to be the front runner...However, with McIlroy and Portrush residents Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell all now major winners, it is believed that the tour and the Northern Ireland government are keen to ride that momentum and bring forward plans to take the Irish Open back to Ulster for the first time since 1953.
McIlroy and McDowell have let it be known that while they enjoyed the atmosphere at Killarney, they were not huge fans of the golf course.
