Donald Trump's ambitions to see The Open Championship return to Turnberry have suffered another setback, with the 2028 tournament being awarded to Royal Lytham and St Annes. The US president had pushed for the event to be held at his Ayrshire course, and the UK government even subtly lobbied the R&A to support his efforts.
R&A's Concerns
However, the prospects were always considered slim, partly due to the R&A's concerns about the distractions surrounding Trump's presence—he purchased the course in 2014—and more fundamentally because of infrastructure issues. The championship will instead return to Royal Lytham in Lancashire for the 12th time, and the first since 2012. The course is famous for hosting two of Seve Ballesteros's three Open wins, in 1979 and 1988.
Other Venues Affected
Along with Turnberry, Muirfield will also have to wait to end its exile from the Open rota, despite support from prominent golfers like Rory McIlroy. R&A chief Mark Darbon has shown a noticeable softening on the Trump issue compared to his predecessor, Martin Slumbers, but it now appears any return to Turnberry will have to wait until after Trump's presidency.
Darbon commented: 'Royal Lytham & St Annes is widely renowned as one of the world's finest links courses and has witnessed many great championship moments since The Open was first played there in 1926 when the legendary Bobby Jones won. This is one of golf's most cherished and historic venues and The Open's return to these famous links will spark huge interest among fans to be part of one of the world's great sporting events and celebrate the rich traditions of golf's original championship.'
