Harrington calls for British Open return to Ireland

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 23 (Reuters) Padraig Harrington called for the British Open to return to his native Ireland after becoming the first Irishman for 60 years to win a major.

The 35-year-old Dubliner clinched one of the most exciting Opens in recent years, beating Spaniard Sergio Garcia in a playoff, to follow Northern Ireland's Fred Daly's 1947 victory at Hoylake.

Nothing would give him greater pleasure than contesting the Open in Ireland, he told Reuters yesterday.

''I would just love the R&A (Royal and Ancient) to bring the Open back to Ireland.

''I think either Royal Portrush or Royal County Down would make excellent venues. I hope they look at it again.'' The R&A had said earlier in the week that there were no plans to bring the tournament away from Scotland or England although chief executive Peter Dawson said the situation was constantly being reviewed.

The only Open to be held outside mainland Britain was held at Royal Portrush in 1951 when Briton Max Faulkner triumphed.

Ireland staged last year's Ryder Cup at the K Club in County Kildare but that is an inland course rather than the traditional seaside links which stages the Open.

Reuters SAM VP0958