Ted Bishop prepares to present Rory McIlroy with the Wanamaker Trophy at Kiawah Island in August 2012. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie

Ted Bishop threw more fuel on the fire of his controversy with R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson when he described Royal Portrush as “open game” if the US PGA Championship ever goes international.

Rory McIlroy during the first round of the 2012 Irish Open at Royal Portrush. Picture Fran Caffrey www.golffile.ieGiven their interest in hosting The Open again and the suggestion by PGA of America President Ted Bishop that it might be a great place to start hosting the PGA Championship on foreign soil, Royal Portrush might be forgiven for getting head start on the azaleas, magnolias and white dogwoods. 

Darren Clarke hands back the Claret Jug to Peter Dawson. Getting his hands on it at Royal Portrush look highly unlikely. R&A chief Peter Dawson yesterday slammed the brakes on a return to The Open rota for Royal Portrush with a blunt: I think the answer is NO.

Some of the rough at Royal Lytham is on the punishing side of severe. Picture via https://www.facebook.com/The-Open-ChampionshipTony Jacklin has told Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and anyone else who complains about Royal Lytham’s heavy rough to stop “whinging” and get on with trying to win The Open.

After a 7 over par weekend, it was no surprise that Rory McIlroy said he isn’t a fan of wind and rain. Pictured here during happier times at last month’s US Open by Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy raised a few eyebrows at Sandwich on Sunday when he trooped off after his final round and declared that he can’t wait to get to play in some decent weather in the US next month.

Winds gusting up to 50 mph made St Andrews almost unplayable as Padraig Harrington continued his preparations for the 150th Open.