The R&A wish to see Turnberry return as host of The Open, however the governing physique will first must assess the feasibility of the venue, chief govt Mark Darbon mentioned Tuesday.
Turnberry, a seaside course in South Ayrshire, Scotland, has been owned by U.S. President Donald Trump since 2014. It has staged The Open 4 occasions — most just lately in 2009, when Stewart Cink gained.
In 2021, after the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters, the R&A mentioned it might not stage championships at Turnberry. Darbon, nonetheless, mentioned it was resulting from logistical considerations.
“At Turnberry, there are undoubtedly some logistical and industrial challenges that we face across the highway, rail and lodging infrastructure,” Darbon advised British media. “We’re performing some feasibility work round what it might seem like to return to that venue and the funding that it might require.”
The 153rd version of The Open, considered one of golf’s main championships, will happen from July 13-20 at Royal Portrush in Northern Eire, with the R&A asserting on Tuesday {that a} file attendance of 278,000 followers is predicted on the occasion.
“The final time we had been there [Turnberry], I believe we had simply over 120,000 individuals,” Darbon mentioned. “We have simply introduced that this summer season we will welcome practically 280,000 individuals right here [at Royal Portrush]. A contemporary Open Championship is a large-scale occasion.
“What we all know for positive is the golf course is good, so in some unspecified time in the future we would like to be again there.”
