GOLF: REIGNING USPGA champion Keegan Bradley, who has never played a professional tournament in Europe, has entered next month's Irish Open at Royal Portrush.

It means three of the four players to hold major titles at the moment will be there, the other two being local heroes Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke.

“I’m very proud of my Irish heritage,” said the American, whose roots are in Cork. “And I’ve wanted to represent them in the Irish national championship.

“Also Graeme [McDowell] and Darren both have told me what a fabulous lay-out Portrush is, so I’m doubly excited about the opportunity to compete there.”

The Irish Open has not been held in Northern Ireland since 1953, but the victories by McDowell and McIlroy in the last two US Opens and then Clarke in last summer’s British Open led to calls for it to be staged there again – possibly followed by the Open in the future.