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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Eamon Doggett

Irish golfing legends 'carved' into Fairhead cliffs ahead of The Open Championship

The iconic cliffs of Fairhead have been carved with the faces of Irish golf legends Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Fred Daly.

This is the special visual that has been produced for the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

The major championship returns to this island for the first time in 70 years and
Tourism NI has unveiled an eye-catching tribute to its most famous golfing sons.

2014 Open champion McIlroy, 2011 champion Darren Clarke, 1946 champion Fred Daly and 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell.

The Open is the next and final major on this year's schedule and is now less than a month away.

215,000 spectators are set to gather on the Northern Ireland coastline with tickets sold out on Championship Days for the first time.

Tourism NI Marketing Director Naomi Waite said: “With ‘Open fever’ beginning to take a hold, we wanted to honour the global golfing heroes who collectively have played a key role in bringing The 148th Open to Northern Ireland and, through their talent, have made Northern Ireland a growing international golf destination.

"It is just one of many activities we have planned to celebrate the enormous pride that the people of Northern Ireland have in the achievements of our golfing greats.

“While Northern Ireland might one day boast its own ‘Mount Rushmore’ for golf, we can reassure everyone that this stunt is digital theatre and something we hope will raise a smile ahead of July.”

McIlroy won the Open Championship in 2014 (PA)

Rory McIlroy commented: “The Open returning to Portrush is massive for Northern Ireland - everyone is so excited and is getting behind it.

"I never thought I would have the opportunity to play in a major championship at home and I’m really looking forward to it.”

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