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The Open Golf championship is set to return to the Royal Liverpool in Hoylake as part of a new deal signed with the organisers which also involves Royal Birkdale near Southport.
It follows the agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding between Liverpool City Region leaders and golf’s governing body, The R&A to host The Open at least three times over the next 25 years.
It is not yet known how the agreement will be split between Hoylake and Birkdale, which is the other course covered by the agreement.
The event has been held at Hoylake three times over the past 20 years.
Councillor Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, said: "The Royal Liverpool Golf Club is one of the most iconic venues in history of golf and has a strong record of hosting memorable Opens which attract visitors and audiences from across the globe.
“Wirral Council is proud to play a central role in this landmark agreement which secures the future of world-class golf in our city region for decades to come and which recognises our ability to deliver major international events.
“The benefits of hosting tournaments such as The Open extend far beyond the fairways. Incredibly prestigious and hugely popular events, they bring significant investment into our local economy, support jobs and businesses, showcase Wirral to a worldwide audience and inspire more people to get involved in sport.
"By working together with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the R&A and our partners across the region, we can create a lasting legacy that boosts tourism, drives economic growth and strengthens our international reputation as a destination for major events."
The deal would see the region stage The Open at least three times by 2050, alongside other R&A championships.
The Memorandum of Understanding replaces a current hosting partnership with Wirral and Sefton which is set to end after The 154th Open this year and prolongs a long-standing relationship between the region and the Championship’s organisers.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “The Open is one of the biggest prizes in world sport, so securing it for the Liverpool City Region at least three more times is fantastic news. It’s a huge vote of confidence in everything our region has to offer – from our world-class courses and spectacular coastline to the warm welcome visitors receive wherever they go.
"With some of the best golf courses in the country on our doorstep, we are undoubtedly the UK's golf coast and this agreement cements that reputation for decades to come. Every time The Open comes here, it puts our region on the global stage, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and delivers a major boost for local businesses, jobs and our visitor economy.
"This is about building a long-term partnership that will inspire the next generation, showcase our communities to millions of people around the world and create opportunities that last long after the final putt. We can't wait to welcome golf's biggest stars - and fans from across the globe - back to the Liverpool City Region again and again."
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Chief Championships Officer at The R&A, said: "The Open is one of the world's great sporting events and has a unique ability to showcase a destination to a global audience while delivering significant long-term economic and community benefits.
"We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with the Liverpool City Region, whose outstanding links courses, passion for golf and commitment to hosting world-class events make it an exceptional home for our championships well into the future."
