Royal Portrush is one of the most popular links golf courses on the planet. It’s even many players’ favourite in the Open Championship cycle.
It’s difficult enough to challenge the world’s best players without feeling like it’s impossible to make birdies.
And perhaps the best part is that you don’t need to be a PGA Tour or DP World Tour player to give it a try.
The Golfing Gazette shares the score of an eight handicap amateur golfer at Royal Portrush before The Open began.
What an eight handicap golfer scored at Royal Portrush before The Open
Royal Portrush might be expensive to play, but at least it’s available to amateur golfers of all levels. An American called Rick Golfs, on X, recently took advantage.
“It’s a beast! Depending on how bad the rough is, it can be a brutal test,” he described the golf course.
“When we played a month ago, it was tough but also fair. We weren’t losing balls in the rough. #4 and #7 are brutes! Look at that massive bunker on the right!”
Rick is an eight handicap, so anything around 80 would normally be a good score for him. However, at an Open Championship course, 90 would seem more realistic.
It’s no surprise that he was pleased to shoot a 13-over-par 84 at Royal Portrush just one month before The Open.
“A solid 84! I played really well but ended with doubles on 16 and 17,” he continued. “As an 8 handicap, I’m still very happy. Nice birdie on 2 and great drive on 18 with the stands up!”
What Grant Horvat and the Bryan Bros shot at Royal Portrush
Grant Horvat is the most well-known YouTube golfer, with over one million subscribers. He has played with Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, and several other superstars.
Horvat was even invited to play in the PGA Tour’s Barracuda Championship this week because of the eyeballs he would draw to the event.
He also played at Royal Portrush as part of his ‘Major Cut’ series on YouTube. He shot a six-over 77 despite his impressive plus-three handicap.
Horvat played alongside the Bryan Bros (Wesley and George), who were four over and two under, respectively.
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