Northern Ireland was previously a nation starved of professional golf action. Having grown up here, I remember jumping for joy when the news broke Portrush would host the 2013 Irish Open and I'd get to see the best in the world, in the flesh, in my own back yard. Fast forward just over a decade and we've now had two Open Championships in six years.
This has meant a huge, golf-hungry sellout crowd has flocked to Royal Portrush like a seagull to a stray chip on the town promenade. Having spent the week at this fabulous tournament, I've overheard many conversations - from the golf nerds and 'sickos' to the fans less familiar with the intricacies of this strange game, but are simply here to enjoy this wonderful tournament.
