R&A Discusses The Open’s Potential Return to Trump’s Turnberry with Eric Trump, Cites Logistical Hurdles
R&A officials, led by chief executive Mark Darbon, met with Eric Trump and Trump Golf leadership to explore bringing The Open Championship back to Turnberry’s Ailsa Course, last hosted in 2009 before Donald Trump’s 2014 acquisition of the Ayrshire resort.
Despite the course’s world-class reputation, Darbon highlighted significant logistical challenges, including road, rail, and accommodation infrastructure, as barriers to its return. He stated: “We love the golf course – we’ve not taken it out of our pool of venues – but we have some big logistical issues there. You’ve seen the scale of the set-up here [Royal Portrush] and there’s some work to do on the road, rail and accommodation infrastructure around Turnberry.”
The 2009 Open at Turnberry drew 120,000 spectators, while Royal Portrush in 2025 expects 280,000 and Royal Troon in 2024 hosted 250,000. With 1.2 million ticket applications for the 2025 championship, Darbon emphasized quality over scale: “It’s not about just being bigger. It’s about being better. So it’s not about just simply the volume of people.” He confirmed constructive talks with Eric Trump: “I met a couple of months ago with Eric Trump and some of the leadership from the Trump golf organisation from Turnberry.
We had a really good discussion. I think they understand clearly where we are coming from. We talked through some of the challenges that we have, so we have a good dialogue with them.”
Darbon clarified that Trump’s ownership is not the primary issue, calling it “a somewhat hypothetical question” since logistical challenges must be resolved first.
This marks a shift from former R&A chief Martin Slumbers, who in 2021 stated: “We will not return until we are convinced the focus will be on the championship, the players and the course itself, and we do not believe that is achievable in the current circumstances.” Slumbers reiterated this in November 2024, citing concerns about “media noise” overshadowing the event.
The R&A maintains that venue decisions remain their prerogative, despite discussions with the UK government, which sees The Open’s £210 million economic impact. Darbon noted: “We have an ongoing dialogue with the UK Government given the scale of the event we stage.
I think, as they made clear recently, while we have discussed Turnberry with them, they’ve been explicit the choices of venues rest with the R&A.” Reports from April 2025 suggest government interest in Turnberry for 2028, but Darbon emphasized no pressure has been applied, stating: “As I say, we have an ongoing dialogue with them and they know choices around venues are at our whim.”
Looking ahead, Royal Birkdale will host in 2026, St Andrews in 2027, and the 2028 venue will be announced by mid-2026.
A potential 2028 clash with the Los Angeles Olympics (July 14–30) is being addressed, with Darbon noting they are “pretty close to a solution.” The R&A is also exploring Portmarnock in the Republic of Ireland, which could mark The Open’s first venture outside the UK, with feasibility work ongoing and support from the Irish government.
