R&A explores feasibility of Turnberry for The Open

The R&A is considering a possible return of The Open Championship to Turnberry, a renowned Scottish golf course owned by Donald Trump since 2014, after previously ruling out the venue following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. According to R&A chief executive Mark Darbon, the main obstacles to Turnberry hosting The Open again are logistical and commercial, particularly regarding road, rail, and accommodation infrastructure, rather than political concerns. Feasibility studies are currently underway to determine the investment and improvements needed to bring the event back to Turnberry, which last hosted The Open in 2009. The R&A highlighted that modern Open Championships now attract nearly 280,000 spectators, more than double the attendance Turnberry managed in 2009, underscoring the scale of the logistical challenge. Despite these hurdles, Darbon praised the quality of the course and expressed a strong desire to eventually return to the venue. Turnberry has seen significant investment since Trump's purchase, but no timeline for a potential return has been set.