North Antrim MP Ian Paisley is confident The Open will return to Royal Portrush in four years.
Paisley, who is the vice chair of the All Parliamentary group for golf at Westminster, told reporters at Royal St Georges that he expects an announcement to be made next year.
"I'm delighted it's coming back to Northern Ireland and the smart money is on 2025," said the DUP MP.
"The resources are in place to have another successful Open."
"We're making sure the course is prepared and there is a lot of political work going on behind the scenes," added Paisley.
"St Andrews [which hosts the 150th Open next year] takes over tomorrow when here is finalised and I would like to think that there will be an official announcement about Northern Ireland and Royal Portrush next year.
"The R&A invited me here because they want us to champion the Open back in Northern Ireland and make sure the messaging is good. All signals indicate the R&A are behind Royal Portrush."
Shane Lowry famously triumphed at the North Antrim links in 2019 as The Open returned for the first time since 1951.
Portmarnock is another Irish course with ambitions of being added to The Open roster.
