Greg Allen

Sport Journalist

Open returns to Ireland with plenty of home hopes

In this richly successful era of the Irish men's professional game, the return of the Open Championship to Royal Portrush is like a beacon signal that the island of Ireland enjoys a position in the world of golf that really needs to be enjoyed while it lasts, writes Greg Allen.

Golf • 16 Jul

SANDWICH, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: Gavin Tiernan of Ireland looks on during the Quarter Finals on Day Five of The Amateur Championship at Royal St. George's Golf Club on June 20, 2025 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

Outsider Tiernan powers into Amateur Championship final

Gavin Tiernan from the County Louth club in Baltray is just one match away from the Amateur Championship title at Royal St Georges in Kent

Golf • 20 Jun

McIlroy heads for Oakmont at delicate time in career

Scottie Scheffler looks the man to beat at the US Open. If Rory McIlroy is to add to his major haul, he must rediscover his hunger to scale the mountain, writes Greg Allen.

Golf • 12 Jun

'Quail Hollow is regarded as a "so-called" bombers' paradise and soft conditions mostly play into their hands'

McIlroy just one of several contenders at Quail Hollow

From the moment the final putt dropped at the 2025 Masters, a narrative has been built that the lifting of a burden would result in a Rory McIlroy being free to play relatively carefree golf, unfettered by heavy expectation, for the remainder of his career, writes Greg Allen.

Golf • 15 May

'The notion of a golfer completing the grand slam in a year is not as far-fetched a proposition as it might seem'

Rory 2.0 has a new target - the calendar grand slam

With his game looking as good as it has for over a decade, there's no question that the calendar grand slam is a goal for the US Masters champion.

Golf • 15 Apr

Greg Allen: 'If there's an 'outside-the-top-10' prediction right now which looks ready to make history, there aren't many better than the World No 13 Shane Lowry'

McIlroy poised, but Scheffler looms large at Augusta

As the eyes of the golfing world focus in on Augusta National this week, the pre-tournament chatter has centred on two pre-Masters narratives.

Golf • 10 Apr

Rory McIlroy is set for his 17th Masters start next month

McIlroy's latest approach in search of Masters glory

If Rory McIlroy was hoping to fly under the radar heading into the Masters next month, as has been the case before, he possibly should not have won twice on two of the most iconic courses in the USA in the weeks before heading down Magnolia Lane.

Golf • 18 Mar

Rory McIlroy is consoled by his caddie Harry Diamond after making a bogey on the 18th hole during the final round of this year's US Open

Gut-punch defeats - McIlroy seeks an end to that in '25

RTÉ Sport's Greg Allen assess the golfing year for Irish competitors and in looking forward to 2025 hones in on Rory McIlroy on whether he can banish of too many near misses in the year past.

Golf • 01 Jan

Conor Purcell was bogey free in round one

Purcell makes fast start in Challenge Tour Grand Final

Conor Purcell shot a bogey free opening round 67 to claim a share of eighth place on five-under par at the Challenge Tour Grand Final in Mallorca.

Golf • 31 Oct 24

Fans watch R&A Amateur champion James Sugrue line up a putt at Portmarnock Golf Club in 2019

Government will support Portmarnock bid to host Open

The prospect of the Open Golf Championship being staged at Portmarnock Golf Club in north County Dublin moved a significant step closer today with the announcement by the Irish government that it will support the hosting of The Open and also the AIG Women's Open at the famous north Dublin links.

Golf • 22 Oct 24