Turnberry was ‘victim’ in Open ban, says Eric Trump

Eric Trump claims Turnberry was a ‘victim’ of politics after the Ailsa was struck from the Open rota.

Speaking to the Daily Mail in Florida, the American said the acclaimed venue will host The Open again once ‘the political noise dies’.

His father Donald Trump – who owns the course – could be re-elected as US President next week.

“Well, there are a lot of downsides to politics,” he said. “It creates politically charged worlds and Turnberry was a victim.

“I don’t think there’s anybody over in the UK who wouldn’t say that Turnberry is the greatest course on the rota.”

It was struck from the R&A’s list of championship venues in January 2021 after the US Capitol riots – in which Trump was widely implicated.

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Martin Slumbers, the outgoing chief of the governing body, penned a statement outlining the decision.

“We will not return until we are convinced that the focus will be on the championship, the players and the course itself and we do not believe that is achievable in the current circumstances,” it read.

But Trump insists the Ayrshire venue is ready to make a comeback and stage the event for a fifth time.

“I love my baby,” he said. “I built every inch of it and it’s really the best anywhere in the world.

“It will be in our family forever and whenever they are [the R&A] ready, we’ll be here, we’ll be ready, and we’ll do something very special.”

The last time the Claret Jug left Turnberry was in 2009, when Stewart Cink won The Open.

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Meanwhile, ahead of the Women’s Scottish Open in August, Charley Hull was adamant the track should play a leading role in professional golf.

“I think it’s a shame, it’s a really top track,” she said. “Honestly, it’s one of the best golf courses in the world.”

Turnberry was struck from the list of Women’s Open courses, too. It previously staged the championship in 2002 and 2005.

Trump’s fresh Open plea comes hot on the heels of a response to rumours the venue could host LIV Golf events.

General Manager Nic Oldham dispelled the claims, telling The Mirror that the Saudi-backed league won’t appear on the Ailsa Course.

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

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.