The Open Championship 2019: Your tournament and current form guide for Royal Portrush

The major year comes to an end this week with The 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Due to a change of dates in the schedule, all four majors will have been concluded inside 14 weeks.

And this week's championship is the first to be staged outside Great Britain in 68 years, as The Open returns to Northern Ireland.

The only other occasion the tournament was staged on the island of Ireland was when Portrush hosted the 80th instalment in 1951.

Situated on the County Antrim coast, the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush was designed by eminent architect Harry Colt in 1929, although considerable changes have been made to the course in order to meet the demands of major championship golf.

The upgrade began in November 2015 and lasted 18 months and, according to the club's own website: "The shifting sands gave way to the building of five new greens, eight new tee boxes, 10 new bunkers and the creation of two new holes.

"These were the 7th (an uphill par-five) and 8th, on land which was once part of the club's Valley course."

Since Max Faulkner won here in the early 1950s, the Dunluce links has staged six British Senior Opens, as well as the Irish Open seven years ago.

Ahead of that tournament in 2012, which was won by Jamie Donaldson, the course built 12 new championship tees, since when Dunluce has extended its length by another 130 yards.

Check out the latest betting ahead of this week's Open Championship at Portrush

Get 10 places on The Open Championship with the Betfair Sportsbook

The Betfair Sportsbook is paying 10 places on the 2019 Open Championship. Place your each-way bet on the Outright winner market and get 10 places at 1/5 the odds. Betfair golf rules apply. T&Cs apply.

Home Challenge

Six British & Irish Hopes For Portrush (not including Rory)

Matt Fitzpatrick: Playing well right now. Tied-12th at Pebble Beach (US Open) and started strongly in Scotland last week. His lack of length off the tee shouldn't hinder him too much on a links course, while his accuracy will most definitely help.

Tommy Fleetwood: Despite making the cut in his last 10 majors, hasn't contended in one since Carnoustie last year. But playing alright and probably just needs to find a little inspiration to get him going.

Shane Lowry: Ireland's second big hope on home soil - after Rory. Two podium finishes in the States this year, and tied-eighth at the PGA Championship during May.

Eddie Pepperell: Loves the links courses of the Britain Isles, and tied-fourth in the recent Irish Open at Lahinch.

Justin Rose: World No 4 tees-up for the first time since his podium finish at the US Open. Tied-second last year in Scotland and often plays his best golf when a few shots adrift going into the final round.

Matt Wallace: A real winner who is not afraid to contend deep into Sunday. Four podiums this year, which include the PGA Championship in New York and the British Masters at Hillside - both events staged during May.

Open Stroke Averages

Lowest 12 (Last Six Opens - 2013/18)
Average......(Rounds)
69.89: Rory McIlroy (18)
70.00: Henrik Stenson (24)
70.23: Phil Mickelson (22)
70.33: Jordan Spieth (24)
70.41: Sergio Garcia (22)
70.42: Tony Finau (12)
70.42: Zach Johnson (24)
70.42: Adam Scott (24)
70.73: Marc Leishman (22)
70.86: Justin Rose (22)
70.91: Francesco Molinari (22)
71.05: Rickie Fowler (22)
Min. No. of Rounds = 12

Check Out Major Championship Form And Analysis

Twitter: Andy Swales@GolfStatsAlive

MC* - Missed Additional 54-Hole Cut

Note: List contains leading reserves