TURNBERRY has been home to some of the greatest moments of The Open down the years having hosted the tournament four times.
These include the famous the “Duel in the Sun” in 1977 when legends Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson went head-to-head on the final day after separating themselves from the rest of the field.
Watson eventually held off his rival after an epic to-and-fro battle, and the photo of the pair with their arms draped around each other remains one of the sport's most treasured images to this day.
Watson was then part of another classic in 2009. Aged 59 at this point, he had the chance to become the oldest major champion in history, but in the end lost out to fellow American Stewart Cink in a nail-biting four-hole play-off.
That was the last time Turnberry welcomed The Open. In 2014, US president and now convicted criminal Donald Trump bought the golf course, and a rather big cloud has hung over the venue ever since.
A big reason why The Open has not been held at the South Ayrshire course in well over a decade is logistical, due to its isolated location and the fact that the event attracts a lot more fans than it used to.
But there has been some acknowledgement Trump’s ownership is an issue. When asked about it, former R&A CEO Martin Slumbers said last year: “Major championships should focus purely on the golf course and the competitors battling upon it. The tournament’s integrity demands that golf alone commands the spotlight.”
It’s called The Open for a reason. As long as you are playing at a required standard, any golfer can attempt to qualify for it. You do not have to be a professional to give winning the Claret Jug a crack.
Having attended The Open for the first time at Royal Troon last year, I also think there is something wonderful about golf in how close you can get to the players in the biggest moments of their careers.
I was sat on a grassy mound inches away from three-time major champion Jordan Spieth on the last day as he attempted a birdie putt on the 12th hole and I remember thinking there isn’t really another sport where you get to be so close to moments of sporting history. You don't feel like there's a societal gulf between you and them.
This is why The Open should not be handed to billionaire Trump and his Turnberry course. It would simply be against the inclusive ethos of the tournament, especially when there are reports Trump has made repeated requests for the 2028 event to be held there to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
It has also been claimed that the UK Government has asked the R&A about its position on the matter, with rumours the Government is doing “everything it can” to get close to Trump.
To have The Open at Trump Turnberry would tarnish completely what is regarded by many golf fans as the finest major and certainly one of the UK’s greatest annual sporting events alongside the likes of Wimbledon and the London Marathon.
It would also be foolish. Last year, the company that operates Trump Turnberry posted a loss of £1.7 million. There could be a number of reasons why, but it should perhaps signal that Trump’s ownership of the course is wildly unpopular, not to mention the numerous protests that have been staged there in recent months.
Having The Open there might please the most powerful man in the world but would likely rub thousands of devoted fans up the wrong way. Is that good business?
In the end, it will be up to the R&A as to whether The Open has a future at the venue, and you get the sense we’re still a fair way from bosses feeling comfortable with the idea.
For the fans, here’s hoping they make the right call and keep golf’s greatest test well away from grubby deals and politics.
