The British Open will return to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland in 2019, golf's governing body the R&A announced Tuesday. It will be only the second time that golf's oldest major is played outside England and Scotland, after a previous tournament staged at Portrush in 1951, which was won by England's Max Faulkner. "We are very much looking forward to bringing The Open to Royal Portrush in 2019 and believe it will be a tremendous venue for the Championship," said Peter Unsworth, chairman of the R&A's championship committee, in a statement on the organization's website. The move follows the successful hosting of the 2012 Irish Open at Portrush and comes after lobbying from Northern Irish major champions Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell for the Open to be played there. Former R&A chief executive Peter Dawson had previously cited the record-breaking attendance at the 2012 Irish Open as a "tipping point" in deliberations about whether to take the Open back across the Irish Sea. World number three McIlroy, who lifted the Claret Jug in 2014, said: "Royal Portrush is one of my favorite golf courses in the world. I think it will be a fantastic Open venue." The 2015 Open, won by America's Zach Johnson, was played at St Andrews. The 155-year-old tournament will visit Royal Troon next year, Royal Birkdale in 2017 and Carnoustie in 2018 before making its historic return to Northern Ireland the following year. Spieth named to headline Singapore Open's 2016 return Organizers say PGA Tour Player of the Year Jordan Spieth will headline the Singapore Open in January when the tournament returns after a three-year absence. Spieth, who won this year's Masters and US Open, will be looking to join a list of big-name Singapore Open winners, including three-time title holder Adam Scott, Ian Poulter, Angel Cabrera and defending champion Matteo Manassero. Spieth, 22, will play in Singapore for the first time. The $1-million Singapore Open is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organization, and will be played at Sentosa Golf Club from Jan 28. — Agencies
