The R&A want 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 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 will not stage championships at Turnberry. Darbon, nevertheless, mentioned it was because of logistical considerations.
“At Turnberry, there are undoubtedly some logistical and business challenges that we face across the street, rail and lodging infrastructure,” Darbon informed British media. “We’re doing a little feasibility work round what it will appear like to return to that venue and the funding that it will require.”
The 153rd version of The Open, one in all golf’s main championships, will happen from July 13-20 at Royal Portrush in Northern Eire, with the R&A saying on Tuesday {that a} report attendance of 278,000 followers is anticipated on the occasion.
“The final time we have been there [Turnberry], I believe we had simply over 120,000 folks,” Darbon mentioned. “We have simply introduced that this summer time we will welcome almost 280,000 folks 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 sooner or later we might like to be again there.”
