Although it’s been one week since Co Offaly’s Shane Lowry lifted the coveted Claret Jug (now renamed by many as the Clara Jug), the golfing world is still reverberating with stories of The 148th Open. I don’t think I’ll get tired hearing about the greatest sporting event ever hosted on the island of Ireland. As I’m a bit of a data-geek I thought I’d put together some interesting facts I’ve gleaned from the media over the past week.
100,000,000 – Tourism NI has predicted an economic boost to the economy of Northern Ireland of more than £100m as a result of the tournament.
17,000,000 – the cost of the Portrush regeneration scheme. Works completed include a £6m public realm scheme, a new £5.6m train station and £500,000 to revitalise local shop fronts.
937,000 – The Department for Infrastructure contributed £937,000 towards the cost of redeveloping the train station at Portrush.
237,750 – the number of spectators who attended The Open
61,000 – the record-breaking crowd that attended the practice days at Royal Portrush
10,000 – the estimated number of fans who attended Shane Lowry’s homecoming at Clara on Tuesday night
156 – the number of golfers who competed for the Claret Jug
148 – this was the 148th Open
87 – JB Holmes’ score in the final round; the highest final round in The Open since 1966
82 – this was Lee Westwood’s 82nd Major
68 – it was 68 years since Royal Portrush hosted The Open
63 – the course record score carded by Shane Lowry in the third round which featured eight birdies
23 – the total number of birdies made by Shane Lowry over the four days
14 – David Duval’s score at the par-five 7th in the first round
13 – the only hole-in-one was carded by Emiliana Grillo at the 13th
8 – Rory McIlroy’s score on the par-four 1st hole in the opening round
6 – Shane Lowry won by 6 shots
5 – Lowry is the fifth Irish player to lift the Claret Jug after Fred Daly, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy
4 – Lowry is the fourth player in the last 100 years to win his first major by six shots or more, joining Tiger Woods, Louis Oosthuizen and Rory McIlroy
2 – this was the second time that Royal Portrush has hosted The Open
1 – the number of Dungannon Golf Club members who have won The Open – Darren Clarke.