President Trump bought Turnberry five years after hosting the Open, and then spent £200 million improving. In 2023 he publicly called on the public to host the open again.
New R&A CEO Mark Durbon said last week he “loves” the course that will host the tournament again. Logistics issues are stumbling blocks, not who owns them.
Since 120,000 people attended Turnberry in 2009, the number of spectators attending the open has increased dramatically, with 278,000 spectators scheduled to attend this year’s event at the Royal Portrush.
The feasibility study is commissioned to assess whether venues and towns are equipped to address such numbers, with question marks regarding transportation and accommodation.
Darbon’s attitude is a major change from that of his predecessor, Martin Slams. He strongly suggested that the course would not recover to open rota while Trump was associated with the venue, and expressed concern that the focus was off course.
That leads to the proposal that Whitehall officials pushed the Open back to Turnberry, and the minister wants to please Trump in the wake of his tariff policy and ongoing trade talks between the two countries.
Sources from both sides denies that pressure is being applied.
In February, White House officials reported that when the prime minister visited Washington, Turnberry increased the chances of returning as an opening venue. King Charles referenced the course in a letter inviting the President on his second state visit to Britain.
