Northern Ireland’s Tourism Minsiter, Arlene Foster, has said that there’s great potential for golfing tourism in Northern Ireland following McDowell’s victory at the US Open in Pebble Beach.

The Minister was in the US last weekend as part of a trade mission, told the Northern Ireland Assembly how there was “tremendous potential” for golfing tourism to the North of the country following the Portrush man’s victory in California.

"When I was in America last week on a trade mission it really was tremendous to see the focus Northern Ireland was having because of Graeme McDowell's tremendous win last Sunday,” said the Minister,

"People were congratulating me simply because I was from Northern Ireland.I just think it has tremendous potential.

“I know that Tourism Ireland are looking at that potential and seeking ways in which they can benefit from it."

The Minister said that she anticipates further meetings with golf clubs around Northern Ireland to work out a joint approach to strengthening the golf tourism trade in the North.