Sources: Multiple Portrush Open Championships To Come

GolfDigest.com Staff reports that a deal is in place for the R&A to take The Open to Royal Portrush not just once in 2019, but for multiple Opens.

Staff also confirms plans to use the 17th and 18th holes as staging areas, with two new Martin Hawtree holes to come.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the same source revealed that the game's oldest major is also guaranteed to make two further excursions to Northern Ireland in years yet to be determined. And, as part of what has been a long rumored move, two new holes designed by architect Martin Hawtree will be inserted midway through the current front-nine. These will replace the present -- and relatively disappointing -- 17th and 18th, on which the championship's extensive "tented village," will be erected.