Royal County Down has been ranked No 1 in Golf World's latest ranking of the Top-100 courses in Great Britain and Ireland.

The Newcastle venue topped the list from Muirfield and the Old Course at St Andrews with Royal Portrush at No 8, Waterville at No 11, Ballybunion Old at 14th and The European Club in County Wicklow ranked 15th.

Many will be surprised to see that Portmarnock, greatly improved in recent years thanks to the efforts of course superintendent Gary Johnstone, is 19th in the list and only seventh in Ireland.

While Royal Dublin, host for this week's Irish Amateur Open Championship, did not make the Top 100 in Golf World's list, Ireland fared well with nineteen venues.

All but one of the 19 — Lough Erne — are located at the seaside. According to Golf World, the new batting order for the best Irish golf courses is as follows:

Golf World's Top Irish courses (ranking in GB&I)

1. Royal Co. Down (1)
2. Royal Portrush (8)
3. Waterville  (11)
4. Ballybunion (14)
5. The European Club (15)
6. Lahinch (19)
7. Portmarnock (30)
8. Doonbeg (30); 
9. Co. Louth (40) 
10. Carne (44).
11. Rosapenna Sandy Hills (48)
12. Co. Sligo (59)
13. Ballyliffin Glashedy (60)
14. The Island (65)
15. Old Head (67) 
16. Enniscrone (69)
17. Donegal (83)
18. Tralee (91)
19. Lough Erne (98).

Golf World's Top-20 in Great Britain and Ireland

1. Royal Co. Down
2. Muirfield
3. St. Andrews Old
4. Turnberry
5. Royal Birkdale
6. Sunningdale Old
7. Trump Aberdeen
8. Royal Portrush
9. Royal Dornoch
10. Carnoustie
11. Waterville
12. Royal St. George's
13. Royal Lytham & St. Anne's
14. Ballybunion Old
15. The European Club
16. Kingsbarns
17. Sunningdale New
18. Woodhalle Spa
19. Lahinch
20. Portmarnock
21. Loch Lomond
22. Walton Heath Old
23. Royal Troon
24. Skibo Castle
25. North Berwick