PINEHURST, N.C. -- For only the second time, golfs oldest major championship will be played in Northern Ireland when the British Open returns to Royal Portrush Golf Club in 2019. Media reports from Ireland and the United Kingdom said the Royal & Ancient, golfs governing body outside the United States and Mexico, will make the formal announcement Monday. The R&A denied reports about a return to Portrush last summer, saying the course was championship-calibre but questioning whether the infrastructure could accommodate the events big galleries. There was speculation that R&A officials may have changed their minds after Ted Bishop, president of the PGA of America, said last November that his group was interested in Portrush as a venue for the PGA Championship if the event was to be held outside the United States. The earliest date that might happen would be 2020. Major champions and Northern Irishmen Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell had been lobbying on Portrushs behalf. "Ive been kind of hesitant to comment because I really didnt want to take anything away from the official announcement," said McDowell, who was three shots off the lead Thursday after the opening round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. "So Im very proud of where I grew up. Im very proud of the tradition and history there, and to bring an Open Championship back to Northern Ireland is very special. It speaks volumes about how far the country has come." The only time the Open was only played outside England and Scotland was 1951, when Max Faulkner won at Portrush. The 2012 Irish Open was played at Portrush, with more than 100,000 fans attending the event. Justin Turner Jersey .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. Jedd Gyorko Jersey .com) - Graeme McDowell opened up with a first- round, 5-under 67 on Thursday and he holds a 2-shot lead at the WGC - HSBC Champions. https://www.cheapdodgersonline.com/515h-maury-wills-jersey-dodgers.html .C. - Brent Sutter scored 1:32 into extra time as the Charlotte Checkers came from behind to defeat the visiting Abbotsford Heat 5-4 on Sunday in American Hockey League action. Manny Mota Jersey .Pete Morelli said the back judge threw a flag on Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens on a pass to Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew in Dallas 24-20 wild-card win Sunday. But the head linesman said there wasnt enough contact and that Hitchens was face-guarding, which isnt a penalty in the NFL. Brett Butler Dodgers Jersey . - The Oakland Athletics say they are stopping negotiations to extend their lease at the Coliseum.SAO PAULO, Brazil - Uncertainty about Brazils readiness for the World Cup opener will linger a little longer after FIFA and local organizers postponed the final test event at the troubled Sao Paulo stadium because of concerns from local authorities. The Brazilian league match scheduled for May 29, a Thursday, was moved to the following Sunday to keep the event from disrupting the citys "operational routine" on a workking day.dddddddddddd FIFA says it also decided to re-schedule the match to a weekend to "ensure it attracts more than 50,000" fans needed to properly test the stadium. Fewer than 40,000 people attended the first test match at the Itaquerao stadium last weekend, when the 20,000 temporary seats being added for the opener couldnt be used. Nearly 70,000 people are expected for the Brazil-Croatia match. ' ' '