Irish Open Heading for Royal County Down

How many players can you name?

It's everywhere in the media... the word is that Royal County Down is set to host the Irish Open in 2015.

The last major tournament held at this iconic links was The Walker Cup in 2007, won by the USA. Here's a photo taken from the www.walkercup.org website.

Just take a look at the list of US players who played on that team and are now regularly on weekly leaderboards.

But while these players win tournaments and change the face of the Professional game, the brilliance of Royal County Down will carry on as before - graceful, distinguished and unforgettable.

RCD's 9th hole. One of the great holes in the world and the drive is
terrifying. It's blind (assuming you can reach, with the tip
of the Slieve Donard Hotel sneaking above the dune top.

The 2015 Open was expected to go back to Royal Portrush after its successful hosting of the event in 2012, but now it appears destined for the Co. Down course... a course that was recently ranked the 4th best course in the work by Golf Digest magazine. Here's a great review of Royal County Down by David Owen for Golf Digest.

For more details on this breaking news check out Brian Keogh of IrishGolfDesk and the Irish Times.

Here are photos of the course from start to finish.