Francesco Molinari admits defending his Open Championship crown at Royal Portrush will be "extra special".
Molinari became the first Italian player to win a major by claiming the Open at Carnoustie last year.
Portrush has not staged the tournament itself since 1951, but Ryder Cup hero Molinari has played the course before when he competed at the 2012 Irish Open.
"I remember playing there the year after Darren (Clarke) had won the Open Championship and being paired with Darren the first round," Molinari said.
Open Championship at Royal Portrush is firmly on Graeme McDowell's radar
"It was something I still remember, so I can only imagine what the Open is going to be; it is going to be even bigger, obviously, going back to Northern Ireland after so many years.
"Defending is always special, but defending in a place where the tournament has not been for so long I'm sure is going to be extra special."
Molinari admits he will take a couple of weeks' break before travelling to the North Coast to defend his title.
Open golf Royal Portrush tickets to go on sale from Monday, April 15
"I've planned for a couple of weeks off before to try and prepare as good as I can and show up there giving me the best chance possible. Being a competitor, I want to do well," he added.
"No matter how it goes, it might be the only time in my career that I get to defend a major title, you never know. So, I need to make the most of it and enjoy the reception I get from the crowd and just, yeah, you know, let it sink in even more."
Meanwhile, it was announced on Tuesday that Open golf Royal Portrush tickets to go on sale from Monday, April 15 .
They will go on sale from Monday, April 15.
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