This week's Irish Open at Royal Portrush is the first major professional event at the classic Northern Ireland links since the 1951 Open Championship.

Portrush will also host the 2014 Amateur Championship, and has been widely touted for a return to the Open rota, especially given the remarkable ticket sales for this week's event.

Architecture firm Mackenzie & Ebert has been advising the Portrush club on tweaks to its Harry Colt-designed links over recent years. At Royal Portrush, the firm's advice has extended to a series of new tees, improvement of the driving range and a new short game practice area.

Martin Ebert, the partner in charge of the work at Royal Portrush said: “Our design work at Royal Portrush has concentrated on the improvement of the practice facilities and the addition of tournament tees to ensure that the course continues to play as Harry Colt originally intended. Some holes had become over-powered by the longer players and the new tees mean that they are now driving to the original landing areas. It is great to see Europe’s best playing at Royal Portrush again. It will be fascinating to see how they do.”