Even a quick look at this year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush shows why all the talk about Turnberry hosting golf’s oldest major is pointless. Whether Turnberry’s owner was Donald Trump or Donald Duck, the course simply doesn’t have the surrounding infrastructure needed for the Open. Despite Trump praising the Ayrshire course during his recent visit, Turnberry in its current state can’t handle the tournament.
This shouldn’t bother the former U.S. president too much—he can still get some of the prestige he wants for Turnberry (one of the world’s best courses) through other means. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if Turnberry soon joins the rotation for the Scottish Open. If Trump can accept a slightly smaller prize than the Open he’s wanted since buying Turnberry in 2014, it could be a win-win for everyone.
The European Tour Group has shown it knows how to handle tricky situations—or at least keep them out of the spotlight. It was the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) that helped bring Saudi Arabia into mainstream golf, and it’s the same tour that lets players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton chase Ryder Cup dreams despite fines for joining LIV events.
While attention turns to Royal Porthcawl and the Women’s Open this week—where Lottie Woad aims to continue her rapid rise—the Legends Tour (Europe’s senior circuit) will stop at Trump Aberdeen. Days later, the DP World Tour’s Nexo Championship will be held at the same venue. The European Tour Group has quietly arranged these events without any backlash, not even a raised eyebrow—and that’s unlikely to change as the tournaments unfold.
Depending on your perspective, this is either great PR or a sign that few care about the European Tour Group’s business dealings. That’s not to say there should be protests, just that Trump has already expanded his golf influence overseas without much fuss. Even the Scottish government has chipped in £180,000 of public money for the Nexo Championship.
The stakes may rise further. Trump Ireland (formerly Doonbeg) is reportedly being considered for the Irish Open, possibly as soon as 2026. Doonbeg and the Irish Open would be a strong match—a stunning coastal course with hotel accommodations. Like Scotland, Ireland should host its national open at true links venues.
European Tour Group CEO Guy Kinnings attended an event with Trump in Aberdeenshire this week and was present for the opening of Trump’s new course there. When Trump cut the ribbon, Kinnings was one of just four people standing behind him—two of whom were Trump’s sons.
The Scottish Open’s current home at the Renaissance Club is convenient—players can stay nearby, and its American owners want the tournament to stay there forever. It also offers seaside preparation right before the Open. But last month, players openly complained about the course setup. With so many great links courses in Scotland, it feels wrong for the event to stay at Renaissance much longer. The best alternative? Turnberry.
A break from Renaissance might be coming. The R&A will likely have the final say.At some point, the Open will return to Muirfield, making it logistically impossible to hold the Scottish Open the week before at a nearby course. In that case, moving the event to the west coast would make perfect sense. The idea that Turnberry would be excluded from future Opens by hosting a DP World Tour event doesn’t hold up—after all, professionals and amateurs play at St Andrews and Carnoustie every year during the Dunhill Links Championship. Turnberry wouldn’t just manage a Scottish Open—it would be a fantastic venue.
“We love Scotland,” Trump declared before boarding Air Force One on Tuesday. Expect to hear much more of that.
