Royal pair the champions at Royal Portrush

ROYAL Portrush has proved a happy hunting ground for Irish golf and there was glory at the Co Antrim venue again yesterday.

- BY BRIAN FLANAGAN

Just days before the best golfers in the world arrive for the 2025 British Open, a Co Meath pair struck an unlikely success in an event hosted by the R&A.

Sharon Conway and Michael Wynne, members of the Rathcore Golf Club in the Royal county, had an emotional win in The 9 Hole Challenge final.

Golfers from all over the world played more than 711,000 nine-hole qualifying rounds in the hope of securing the opportunity to play the Championship course just days before the world's best male golfers compete in The 153rd Open.