Donald Trump's Turnberry Golf Club will not be the venue for the Open Championship in the near term after the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club secured the hosting rights for the 156th Open in 2028. The 2024 edition of the major will be staged at Royal Birkdale, and the tournament will travel back to the historic "Home of Golf" at St Andrews for the 2027 event. Turnberry, which has long campaigned for a place on the Open rota, remains on the sidelines while the R&A works through a series of logistical and financial obstacles that make the remote Ayrshire location difficult to accommodate.
Current R&A Chief Executive Mark Darbon explained to Sky Sports that the scale of a modern Open demands robust road, rail and accommodation networks, and that Turnberry's infrastructure does not yet meet those standards. He added that the R&A maintains an open dialogue with the venue and will revisit the issue if conditions improve.
Muirfield, another storied Scottish club, has also been left out of the R&A's short‑term schedule. The last time Muirfield hosted the Open was in 2013, when Phil Mickelson claimed the Claret Jug. In 2016, former R&A chief Martin Slumbers said the club would not be considered again until it lifted its ban on female members. Although Muirfield members voted in 2017 to admit women, the course has still not been reinstated on the rota, even after Rory McIlroy publicly urged the R&A to bring it back in early 2024.
Current projections suggest Muirfield will not return until at least 2031, partly because the neighboring Renaissance Club has secured the Genesis Scottish Open through 2030. The 2028 Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes will run from August 3 to August 6, marking the links' first appearance since Ernie Els lifted the Claret Jug there in 2012. Over the decades, Lytham has hosted legends such as Bobby Jones, Bobby Locke, Peter Thomson, Sir Bob Charles, Tony Jacklin, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Tom Lehman and David Duval.
Darbon praised the course as "one of the world’s finest links" and highlighted its historic moments dating back to Bobby Jones’s 1926 victory. He said the return will generate massive fan interest and celebrate the deep traditions of golf’s original championship. Tim Walker, chairman of the council at Royal Lytham & St Annes, expressed pride in being selected for the 156th Open, noting the club’s century‑long connection to the event and the recent centenary of Bobby Jones’s triumph. He looks forward to welcoming the world’s top players and a global audience to England’s coastal links.
The R&A is moving the Open back to its traditional August slot in 2028 to avoid clashing with the Los Angeles Olympic Games. The most recent Open, the 153rd, was won by Scottie Scheffler at Royal Portrush in 2025, giving him his fourth major and first Claret Jug. This year’s Open will be held at Royal Birkdale from July 16‑19, while Lytham will also host the AIG Women’s Open from July 29 to August 2, both televised on Sky Sports. President Donald Trump has long hoped that Turnberry could re‑enter the Open rotation.
He purchased the resort in April 2014 and reportedly lobbied Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for the venue’s selection. Turnberry’s Ailsa Course has previously staged the Open four times, most recently in 2009 when Stewart Cink won. Approximately 120,000 spectators attended the four‑day event across those historic editions.
Despite its reputation as a premier links course, the R&A cites Turnberry’s remote setting as a logistical and financial challenge. In 2021 the governing body warned that the focus of an Open at Turnberry might shift from the sport to political headlines surrounding the U.S. president.
That comment followed the PGA of America’s decision to strip Trump National Golf Club Bedminster of the 2022 PGA Championship. An official R&A statement reiterated that there are no current plans to stage any championship at Turnberry and that the organization will not return until it is convinced the event can be centered on the players, the competition and the course itself.
In 2025, Eric Trump met with R&A officials to discuss the venue. While the conversation was described as constructive, the core issue—addressing Turnberry’s infrastructure—remained unresolved. Darbon said he would love to see the Open back at Turnberry, but emphasized that without significant improvements to roads, rail links and accommodation, the venue is not viable.
He noted a recent meeting with Eric Trump and Turnberry leadership, stating that both sides understand the challenges and are continuing dialogue. The Guardian reported that a government spokesperson also contacted the R&A in 2025, urging the inclusion of Turnberry for 2028. The R&A clarified that venue decisions are independent of government influence, though they regularly engage with local and national authorities about site suitability. Ticket demand for the Open continues to surge.
Over one million applications were received for the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale, and the 2025 Open at Royal Portrush set an attendance record with 278,000 spectators across four days—the highest outside St Andrews. Darbon reiterated the R&A’s stance: "We love the golf course but we have big logistical challenges. The scale of the setup requires work on road, rail and accommodation infrastructure." Meanwhile, the PGA Tour will head to Trump National Doral in Miami for the inaugural Cadillac Championship, the fourth Signature Event of the 2026 season, broadcast live on Sky Sports. Golf fans can watch all four rounds starting Thursday at 4 p.m.
on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available without a contract. In summary, while Turnberry remains a dream venue for many supporters, the R&A’s priority is ensuring that any Open Championship delivers a world‑class experience focused on the sport itself. Until the logistical hurdles are resolved, Royal Lytham & St Annes will host the 2028 Open, continuing the rich tapestry of links golf that defines the championship’s heritage.