Hoylake back on British

The scene of two of Ireland's most famous golfing victories, is to be restored to the British Open rota for the first time since 1967. Agreement with the Royal Liverpool club and the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral has paved the way for a return to Hoylake, possibly in 2006.

Roberto de Vicenzo was the last winner there in 1967 and it is where Dollymount's Michael Moran finished third behind J H Taylor in 1913. In 1947, Fred Daly went all the way, to become the only Irish winner of the title.

It was also at Hoylake that Joe Carr won the first of three British Amateur titles, by beating the American Harvie Ward in the 1953 final. The course was dropped from the rota of British Open courses because of insufficient space for the tented village, an inadequate practice ground and problems with the traffic flow.

This year's Open will be at Royal Lytham, followed by Muirfield (2002) and Royal St George's (2003). The other courses on the rota are St Andrews, Turnberry, Royal Troon, Carnoustie and Royal Birkdale.

The recent purchase by the club of 10 acres of land adjacent to the course, however, plus the ability to build a new practice area on a nearby municipal course has helped to accelerate the Championship's return.