The R&A would “love” to bring the Open Championship back to Trump Turnberry, but logistics rather than ownership are the primary concern, according to new chief executive Mark Darbon.
A feasibility study has been commissioned to assess whether the Ayrshire venue and surrounding area can accommodate the massive crowds a modern Open attracts. BBC Sport reports the UK government has recently inquired about the R&A’s position.
Turnberry’s iconic Ailsa Course last hosted the Open in 2009, five years before Donald Trump purchased the resort. Darbon acknowledged the R&A is “blessed to have such a wonderful pool of venues that can stage the Open Championship.”
“At Turnberry, we face some logistical and commercial challenges around the road, rail, and accommodation infrastructure,” he explained. “We’re doing some feasibility work around what it would look like to return to that venue and the investment that it would require.”
Darbon’s comments came during the official launch of this year’s Open at Royal Portrush, which will welcome nearly 280,000 spectators in Julyโa significant increase from the 120,000 who attended when it was last held there in 2019. This year’s tournament is already sold out, with 278,000 tickets purchased.
Turnberry has received ยฃ200m in improvements since Trump acquired it in 2014. “A modern Open Championship is a large-scale event,” Darbon noted. “What we know for sure is the golf course is brilliant, so at some point we’d love to be back there.”
This represents a notable shift from previous R&A positions. In 2021, then-chief executive Martin Slumbers suggested Turnberry would not return to the Open rotation while associated with Trump, citing concerns that focus would be diverted from the championship. He reiterated this stance as recently as November, after Trump’s second election victory, mentioning the risk of “media noise” overshadowing the golf.
Darbon’s emphasis on logistical rather than political concerns signals an apparent softening in the R&A’s position. Some question whether this change might be influenced by a British government eager to maintain good relations with a key ally, particularly during ongoing trade discussions.
In February, reports emerged that White House officials raised the possibility of Turnberry’s return during Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Washington. King Charles even mentioned the course in a letter inviting the president to a second state visit to the UK.
While the government has not commented officially, sources indicate ministers have recently inquired about the R&A’s current thinking. The R&A maintains these were genuine inquiries rather than attempts to influence, and that legitimate concerns about travel infrastructure and hotel capacity remain. However, if these challenges can be resolved, the organization appears more receptive to Turnberry hosting golf’s oldest championship again.
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