After the recent news that Royal Portrush will play host to this year’s Irish Open comes an announcement of a further high-profile golf event in Northern Ireland. The R&A has revealed that Portrush will play host to the Amateur Championship in 2014.

The Irish Open, which is expected to be a homecoming celebration for recent Northern Ireland Major winners Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, will be the first big professional tournament held in the province since Portrush hosted the Open itself in 1951. Amateur events, though, have more recent history in the area; the Walker Cup matches were held at Royal County Down in 2007.

Portstewart will be the second course for strokeplay during the Amateur. The announcement is certain to fuel further speculation about the potential return of the Open to Harry Colt's great links in Northern Ireland.