The Open Championship rota includes some of the sport’s greatest venues. St Andrews, Carnoustie, Royal Portrush, Royal Birkdale and Hoylake are bucket list courses for most amateurs.
Even Royal Troon, the 2024 Open Championship host, staged arguably the most challenging major last year. Unpredictable links conditions make The Open unique, as does the stunning scenery that plays host to the world’s best players in the year’s final major.
There is, however, one venue that has a reputation for being one of golf’s treasured courses.
Trump Turnberry, 24 miles south of Royal Troon, is one of the best-ranked courses not just in the UK but on the planet. Since the US President purchased the course, reviews and ratings have gone through the roof.
Scottie Scheffler played the course before the 2024 Open, and John Daly praised it after he visited last year. Yet, the venue was taken off the Open rota in 2021 after the US Capitol was stormed in January 2021, as the R&A looked to distance itself from Trump.
Peter Finch wants Turnberry back on The Open Championship rota
Given Trump Turnberry’s standing within the professional game, YouTube golf star Peter Finch believes the course will be reinstated as a major championship venue.
In his latest podcast, Finch was asked, “Do you feel that The Open will return to Turnberry one day?”
“Yes. I think it will do, but also it doesn’t have to. But Turnberry is an incredible golf course and one of the best Open venues,” Finch replied.
“Turnberry is one of the best golf courses, literally, in the world. Like when I’ve played it a couple of times since the regeneration that happened a few years ago, it is just absolutely fantastic. It’s stunning and in a brilliant position overlooking the coast.
“Some amazing holes, and if you catch it on a nice day, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world as well. It’s got such a rich history it would be a shame if the Open didn’t return there. I think it will at some point. When that might be, who knows, but it has to.”
Open Championship winners at Turnberry
Turnberry has hosted The Open four times previously and has been the stage for some of the event’s most iconic victories.
Stewart Cink’s win in 2009 came after Tom Watson squandered the chance to win the Claret Jug on the 72nd hole. The 60-year-old then fell into a playoff, where Cink ran out victorious.
Nick Price won at Turnberry in 1994, finishing one shot clear of Swede Jesper Parnevik. Eight years prior, Greg Norman sealed a five-shot victory on Scotland’s west coast after finishing level par.
Finally, in 1977, Turnberry hosted Watson’s thrilling one-stroke win over Jack Nicklaus. Watson produced a stunning approach on the 72nd hole to prevent the Golden Bear from landing his first major of the year.
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