Rory McIlroy mania puts The Open on historic path in £213m first for Northern Ireland

The nation of Northern Ireland has a lot to thank Rory McIlroy for.

As one of only six golfers and the only European to have completed the career Grand Slam, McIlroy is arguably the country’s greatest athlete in modern times.

McIlroy’s Masters win had golf fans and regular punters glued to their screensCredit: GettyHe joined the exclusive club in the most dramatic of circumstances as he squeezed past Justin Rose in a play-off to win this year’s Masters.

Thanks to his exploits at Augusta, fans will hope McIlroy can deliver a similar performance on home soil at The Open in July.

This year’s iteration of the fourth and final major on the calendar is the 153rd and will take place at Royal Portrush for the first time since 2019, when Ireland’s Shane Lowry triumphed.

McIlroy, a close friend of Lowry, would love nothing more than to follow suit as he chases his first Open title since 2014.

Read more golf newsSo too would the vast majority of what will be a sold out crowd at Portrush, which will reportedly provide the nation with one heck of an economic boost.

According to The R&A, over one million fans entered the public ticket ballot last year, but only 278,000 were lucky enough to secure a spot.

The R&A added an independent study conducted by the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) at Sheffield Hallam University estimated this year’s Open will inject over £213million into Northern Ireland’s economy.

That figure ensures the event will be the largest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland.

Although the ticket ballot was conducted well in advance of McIlroy’s Masters triumph, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon told Ireland Live the national hero’s victory will only add to the buzz at Portrush in July.

“I think it’s brilliant for the sport of golf, not just our own championship,” Darbon said.

Darbon acknowledged McIlroy mania can only be a good thingCredit: Getty“It was an amazing, emotional win.

“We’re delighted to see Rory etch his name in the history books.”

Darbon added: “I mean 2019 was a roaring success, and so when we announced that we were coming back, there was a lot of pent-up excitement for that return.

“I think the game of golf is in a good space as well, from a participation perspective, you know, it’s never been healthier in terms of the growth that we’re seeing.

“So, there’s a lot of interest and excitement in the game right now.

“And, quite frankly, Rory McIlroy winning the Masters a couple of weekends ago just adds to that excitement.

The picturesque fairways of Royal Portrush will play host to this year’s OpenCredit: Getty”So, we’re looking forward to welcoming him here this summer too.”

Although the expected attendance figure of 278,000 is vast, it will only be good enough for the second-biggest attendance in Open history.

The record belongs to the 2022 Open when it was played at St Andrews, Scotland, as 290,000 supporters turned out to watch Australia’s Cameron Smith win by one stroke.

The 153rd staging of The Open will commence on July 17.