UK officials consider Turnberry for 2028 Open championship after Trump pressure

UK government discusses possibility of hosting The Open at Donald Trump’s Turnberry resort, with R&A citing major logistical hurdles.

Donald Trump plays golf at his Trump Turnberry course in South Ayrshire during his visit to the UK on May 3, 2023. Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The UK government has begun informal discussions on the potential of hosting the 2028 Open Championship at Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. This development follows persistent lobbying by the U.S. president Donald Trump, who has frequently expressed frustration that the historic course has not been selected for the tournament since 2009.

According to individuals familiar with the talks, officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have approached the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A), the organization responsible for the Open Championship, to better understand the challenges associated with bringing the event back to Turnberry. The discussions, while preliminary, suggest a renewed political interest in satisfying Trump’s long-standing request.

Trump’s ongoing campaign for the Open

Donald Trump, who purchased the Turnberry resort in 2014, has repeatedly questioned British ministers, including current Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, on why the course has been overlooked. In 2023, Trump stated, “Everybody wants to see the Open Championship here,” emphasizing his desire to return one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments to the scenic Ayrshire venue.

Sources close to the discussions told the Financial Times that there are elements within Downing Street who see the 2028 Open at Turnberry as a possible diplomatic gesture that could bolster relations with Trump — especially if he secures the presidency again in the upcoming U.S. election. “There are people in Downing Street who would like this to be a silver bullet which could please Donald Trump,” one source said. “The question is whether it’s feasible or not.”

Government treads carefully around lobbying claims

While government figures have acknowledged the conversations, officials insist that no formal lobbying is taking place. One DCMS representative said: “Sport operates independently of government, and decisions on tournament hosting venues are a matter for relevant sporting bodies. Therefore, direct representations in respect of Turnberry’s hosting of The Open Championship would be a matter for the R&A and their operational team.”

Despite the UK government’s position, the approach to the R&A highlights how seriously the matter is being considered behind the scenes, especially given the political sensitivities involved.

R&A maintains its reservations

The R&A, which has ultimate authority over where the Open is staged, previously ruled out Turnberry in 2021. That decision came in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol Hill riot and reflected growing international discomfort with Trump’s political behavior.

While the organization has not publicly reversed that position, it has acknowledged that talks with government have taken place. On Monday, the R&A said, “We regularly engage with government and local government regarding venues. We have explained the logistical challenges around Turnberry to the government and they are aware of the position.”

Mark Darbon, the R&A’s new chief executive, recently pointed to difficulties related to transport access and accommodations as primary obstacles to selecting Turnberry. “There are significant logistical issues with the site,” he noted last week, stressing that any venue under consideration must be able to meet the demands of modern tournament infrastructure and attendance.

Turnberry’s history and attendance concerns

Turnberry last hosted the Open Championship in 2009, before Trump acquired the property. That year, the event drew approximately 123,000 spectators. Since then, attendance numbers at the Open have soared. The 2023 tournament at Royal Troon welcomed more than 258,000 visitors, underscoring the growth and scale of the event and the elevated expectations that come with hosting it.

This rise in turnout poses a challenge for Turnberry. The R&A has made it clear that any prospective venue must be able to accommodate not only the infrastructure and crowds but also media coverage, transport logistics, and hotel capacity.

Political and diplomatic dimensions

The idea of returning the Open to Turnberry is not purely about golf. For Trump, a return would represent both a personal and political triumph. Turnberry is one of his most prized real estate holdings, and its exclusion from recent tournaments has often been seen by his allies as a deliberate snub by the British establishment.

For the UK government, particularly under Starmer’s leadership, the calculus is more complicated. Engaging with Trump — even indirectly — on this matter could be interpreted as a soft diplomatic overture, especially if he wins the 2024 U.S. election and resumes control of the White House.

However, any such move risks sparking criticism at home and abroad, particularly among those who view Trump’s political legacy as controversial.

Uncertainty remains for 2028

Although the year 2028 is being informally floated, no decisions have been made by the R&A regarding that year’s Open Championship venue. The organization has committed future Opens to other venues through 2026, with Royal Troon and Royal Portrush already confirmed.

Sources suggest that if Turnberry were to be considered, significant investments in infrastructure would be required — possibly with the help of public funding — raising further questions about the political and economic feasibility of the project.

Turnberry’s fate lies with R&A

The future of the Open at Trump’s Turnberry remains uncertain. While UK officials have initiated exploratory conversations, any decision will ultimately lie with the R&A. As of now, the organization maintains that serious logistical challenges and past political controversies continue to cloud the resort’s candidacy.

For Donald Trump, hosting the Open at Turnberry remains a personal ambition — one he continues to pursue. For the UK government, the issue presents a complex intersection of sport, diplomacy, and logistics that is far from resolved.