Royal Portrush is in the market for a new general manager just over a year before the return of The Open Championship to the Co Antrim links.

According to sources at the club, members were informed by email on Tuesday afternoon that Dubliner John Lawler has been appointed general manager at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club - the home of Wimbledon.

It’s a huge job for Mr Lawler, who took over from Wilma Erskine in the post when he moved from The Island to Royal Portrush following the successful 2019 Open Championship at the Dunluce Links.

Lawler began working in the golf industry in 2002 and worked at Carton House, Mount Wolseley, Rathfarnham Golf Club and The Island Golf Club prior to his move from Dublin to Portrush in October 2019. 

Throughout his career, he has been involved in running Championships at his clubs, including The Amateur Championship and the Irish Open.