Trump-Owned Turnberry in Scotland May Return as The Open Venue

Excluded After the 2021 U.S. Capitol Riot
R&A Conducts Feasibility Study as Trump Wins Reelection
PGA Tour Events Expected at Trump-Owned Courses Starting Next Year

The Open boasts a long and storied history.

The inaugural tournament was held in 1860. This year's event, which begins on the 17th (local time) at Royal Portrush Golf Club (par 71) in Portrush, Northern Ireland, marks the 153rd edition. The Open is particularly famous for rotating its venues. Currently, the tournament is held at one of nine golf courses in the United Kingdom. There are four Open courses each in England and Scotland, and Royal Portrush Golf Club, the host of this year's event, is the only one in Northern Ireland.

This is a view of Trump Turnberry in Scotland, where The Open was held until 2009. Photo by Turnberry

Originally, The Open was also held at Trump Turnberry in Scotland until 2009. However, after the 2021 incident in which fervent supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, the R&A?the governing body that organizes The Open?announced that it would no longer hold the tournament at Turnberry, which is owned by President Trump.

Recently, Turnberry has once again become a subject of discussion as a potential Open venue. With President Trump returning to office this year, reports have emerged that the R&A has begun a feasibility study to determine whether the tournament could be held at Turnberry again.

The atmosphere appears favorable. First, the PGA Tour has begun to take action. It is now expected that PGA Tour events will once again be held at golf courses owned by President Trump, from which they had previously been excluded. During President Trump's first term, the PGA Tour removed his golf courses from its event rotation in response to widespread backlash against his statements and actions regarding immigrants, women, and minorities, and this policy has continued until now.

However, on the 15th, Sports Business Journal reported that at least five PGA Tour events are being considered for Trump-owned golf courses as venues for next year. According to the outlet, Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami, Florida?which has hosted PGA Tour events for the longest period among Trump-owned courses?is planning to host a PGA Tour event during the last week of April next year. Trump National Doral previously hosted PGA Tour events from 1962 to 2016.