Senior UK government officials have approached golf’s governing body to explore the possibility of returning the Open Championship to Donald Trump ’s Turnberry course in 2028, amid ongoing interest from the US president.
Sources reveal that officials from Whitehall, particularly within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), have made inquiries with the R&A, organisers of the Open, about what would be required to host the tournament at Turnberry. While some described this as active lobbying, others framed it as a fact-finding exercise rather than a directive.
The push reportedly follows repeated requests from President Trump, who has directly raised the subject multiple times with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer . Trump has long expressed a desire to see the Open return to Turnberry, which his company purchased in 2014.
Turnberry’s Status and Financial Stakes
Turnberry remains one of about ten historic courses considered viable for the Open and last hosted the event in 2009. However, it has not been selected since the 2021 US Capitol riots, after which the R&A distanced itself from the Trump-linked venue to avoid political controversy.
Financially, a future Open could significantly benefit the course’s operator, SLC Turnberry . The Trump-owned business lost £1.7 million last year, despite turning its only profit of £571,000 in the previous year – its only profit in 10 years.
Changing Tone at the R&A
The R&A, under new leadership, appears to be reconsidering its stance. Mark Darbon , the new chief executive, stated last week that he would welcome a return to Turnberry "at some point." However, he acknowledged substantial challenges related to infrastructure and capacity.
Darbon cited concerns over road and rail access, as well as local accommodation limits. Turnberry is relatively remote—two and a half hours by train from Glasgow and accessible only via a single A-road. The venue would likely require major investment, possibly in the hundreds of millions, to meet the demands of modern Open crowds, which now exceed 250,000.
Discussions between officials and the R&A have so far focused on these logistical barriers. The R&A confirmed it regularly consults with government bodies about potential venues and has communicated the specific hurdles surrounding Turnberry.
Sources reveal that officials from Whitehall, particularly within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), have made inquiries with the R&A, organisers of the Open, about what would be required to host the tournament at Turnberry. While some described this as active lobbying, others framed it as a fact-finding exercise rather than a directive.
The push reportedly follows repeated requests from President Trump, who has directly raised the subject multiple times with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer . Trump has long expressed a desire to see the Open return to Turnberry, which his company purchased in 2014.
Turnberry’s Status and Financial Stakes
Turnberry remains one of about ten historic courses considered viable for the Open and last hosted the event in 2009. However, it has not been selected since the 2021 US Capitol riots, after which the R&A distanced itself from the Trump-linked venue to avoid political controversy.
Financially, a future Open could significantly benefit the course’s operator, SLC Turnberry . The Trump-owned business lost £1.7 million last year, despite turning its only profit of £571,000 in the previous year – its only profit in 10 years.
Changing Tone at the R&A
The R&A, under new leadership, appears to be reconsidering its stance. Mark Darbon , the new chief executive, stated last week that he would welcome a return to Turnberry "at some point." However, he acknowledged substantial challenges related to infrastructure and capacity.
Darbon cited concerns over road and rail access, as well as local accommodation limits. Turnberry is relatively remote—two and a half hours by train from Glasgow and accessible only via a single A-road. The venue would likely require major investment, possibly in the hundreds of millions, to meet the demands of modern Open crowds, which now exceed 250,000.
Discussions between officials and the R&A have so far focused on these logistical barriers. The R&A confirmed it regularly consults with government bodies about potential venues and has communicated the specific hurdles surrounding Turnberry.
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