Turnberry responds to LIV event rumours

Trump Turnberry has made its stance clear on LIV rumours, as it plots a way back onto the Open rota.

In conversation with The Mirror, Turnberry’s General Manager Nic Oldham said the Ailsa Course will not host LIV events.

The Ayrshire venue is a four-time Open host and is desperate to bring the Claret Jug back for the first time since 2009.

But the R&A’s decision will have no impact on Turnberry’s desire to welcome the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, according to Oldham.

“No,” he said. “Not on the Ailsa course.

“We wouldn’t want to ever put ourselves in a position not to get The Open back by having another event on there.

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“It would only be an R&A credited event – boys, girls, amateur, Walker Cup, Curtis Cup – anything by the R&A.”

The resort was axed from the governing body’s list of championship venues in 2021 following the US Capitol Riots in January that year.

Former US president Donald Trump – the resort’s owner since 2014 – was widely implicated.

Ahead of last year’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, Martin Slumber – the R&A’s outgoing chief executive – reiterated the organisation’s position.

“Until we’re confident that any coverage at Turnberry would be about golf, about the golf course and about the championship, we will not return any of our championships there,” Slumbers said.

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Fast forward to July 2024, and Oldham urged the R&A to invite the acclaimed Aisla Course at Turnberry back into the mix.

“We continue to invest in the course and Martin Ebert’s redesign raised the bar even higher,” he said.

“There has never been a better time to play the Ailsa, and it would be great if the R&A would consider returning the Open to Turnberry, perhaps to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famous ‘Duel in the Sun’ in 2027.”

The R&A has not confirmed which venue will host The Open in 2027. Royal Portrush will stage the event next year before Royal Birkdale hosts in 2026.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.