MORE than 50,000 people have signed a petition against The Open being held at Trump Turnberry.
The petition on 38 Degrees was created a couple of months ago but has picked up a head of steam in the last 24 hours ahead of the US president's visit to Scotland.
Around 30,000 people have put their name to the campaign created by Chantal Bowman Boyles over the last day.
The venue on Scotland’s west coast has not hosted The Open since its fourth visit in 2009 when Stewart Cink denied a then 59-year-old Tom Watson a fairytale sixth Claret Jug.
R&A officials have met with Donald Trump's son Eric this month to discuss the major returning to Turnberry.
R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said there are still "big logistical issues" with the tournament being held at the venue with the number of spectators having spiked considerably in recent years.
A total of 120,000 people attended the championship in 2009. Last week's Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland had around 280,000 spectators, while 250,000 were at Royal Troon in 2024.
The petition states: "The Open Championship must not give in to the UK government's lobbying and allow Donald Trump to host one of the world's biggest, oldest and respected golf tournaments at any of the golf courses he owns in the UK.
"[[Donald Trump]] is a divisive individual who is busy breaking the global economy and promoting racist, homophobic, misogynistic, and transphobic messages around the world. He is ignoring national and international law, ruining people's lives, imprisoning people without due process, and bullying Ukraine. He should not be REWARDED by our country."
In April it was reported senior Whitehall officials had been quizzing top golf bosses whether they can host the 2028 Open championship at Turnberry in a bid to win the US president’s favour.
One source described the talks to The Guardian as direct lobbying from the UK Government.
Meanwhile, others said officials had asked about hypothetical problems with the idea, rather than insisting that it happen.
One person with knowledge of the discussions told the paper: “The government is doing everything it can to get close to Trump.
“One concrete thing is that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have been involved in pushing for the Open to return to Trump-owned Turnberry.”
Two other people briefed on conversations between the US president and Keir Starmer reportedly said Trump had asked the Prime Minister multiple times about hosting the Open at Turnberry.
In comments on the petition, supporters have laid out their reasons for signing.
One person said: "The UK is a tolerant welcoming nation and generous of spirit. These are values that have no meaning with Donald Trump, who has nothing nice or kind to say about anyone.
"We should not countenance any welcome to him at any time."
Another signatory said: "This man is a toxic brand and no way should the R&A be considering awarding the Open championship to one of his courses."
To sign the petition click here.
