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Royal Lytham & St. Annes to Host British Open in 2028, Turnberry Still Waits
Royal Lytham & St. Annes will return to the international golfing spotlight as host of the 2028 British Open, ending a 16-year absence from the prestigious tournament’s rotation, the R&A announced Monday.
The historic Lancashire links course will stage golf’s oldest championship for the 12th time, having last hosted in 2012 when South African Ernie Els claimed the claret jug following a dramatic final-round collapse by Adam Scott, who bogeyed his final four holes to lose by a single stroke.
“This is one of golf’s most cherished and historic venues,” said R&A chief executive Mark Darbon. “The Open’s return to these famous links will spark huge interest among fans to be part of one of the world’s great sporting events and celebrate the rich traditions of golf’s original championship.”
The announcement further extends the tournament absence for Trump Turnberry, the Ayrshire coast resort purchased by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2014. Turnberry last hosted the Open in 2009, when 59-year-old Tom Watson narrowly missed becoming the oldest major champion in history before losing in a playoff to Stewart Cink.
The R&A has consistently bypassed Turnberry since Trump’s acquisition, with former CEO Martin Slumbers previously stating the organization would not return until comfortable that focus would remain on golf rather than the course’s ownership. While Darbon has engaged in what he called “constructive talks” with Eric Trump and Trump Golf leadership, he indicated that transportation infrastructure and other logistical issues remain unresolved.
This marks the second-longest interval between Open Championships for Royal Lytham, surpassed only by the 26-year gap between its first hosting in 1926 — when amateur legend Bobby Jones triumphed — and its second Open in 1952.
The selection process also bypassed Muirfield, another historic venue that last welcomed the championship in 2013 when Phil Mickelson secured victory. Industry observers note the R&A’s apparent preference for larger venues capable of accommodating growing spectator numbers has likely influenced these decisions.
Recent Open Championships have gravitated toward expansive courses like the Old Course at St. Andrews — the most frequent tournament host — and Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, which attracted nearly 280,000 spectators in 2019 and will host again in 2025. St. Andrews established the all-time attendance record in 2022 with 290,000 weekly visitors.
This trend toward larger venues reflects the tournament’s growing global popularity and commercial importance to the R&A. The Open Championship has evolved significantly from its modest origins into one of sport’s premier global events, with substantial economic impact for host regions and increasing broadcast viewership worldwide.
The 2028 championship at Royal Lytham will run slightly later than usual, scheduled for August 3-6 to avoid conflicting with the Olympic golf tournament at the Los Angeles Games that summer. This represents a departure from the Open’s traditional mid-July calendar position.
Before returning to Royal Lytham, the tournament will visit Royal Birkdale in 2023 and the Old Course at St. Andrews in 2027, maintaining the championship’s balance between tradition and practical considerations.
Royal Lytham, known for its challenging bunkers and proximity to residential areas rather than seaside views typical of links courses, has produced notable champions throughout its Open history, including Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros (twice), and David Duval. The course’s return to the rotation ensures another chapter in its distinguished place in golf’s oldest major championship.
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6 Comments
The 2028 Open at Lytham should be a great event. That course has produced some dramatic finishes over the years. Surprised to see Turnberry still on the outside, but I suppose the politics around Trump’s ownership are tricky.
Golf course selection for major championships is always a hot topic. While Lytham has pedigree, I wonder if the decision to pass over Turnberry is more about the Trump association than the merits of the course itself.
Interesting move by the R&A. Lytham has a rich history, but I’m curious to see if Turnberry will ever make its way back into the Open rotation. Trump’s ownership has certainly complicated things.
Glad to see Lytham getting another shot at hosting the Open. It’s been too long since we’ve had an event there. Still, the Turnberry situation remains curious – I can’t help but feel the politics are getting in the way of the golf.
Turnberry is such a storied venue, it’s surprising to see it left out again. I know the Trump connection is tricky, but the course itself is world-class. Curious to see how this all plays out in the coming years.
The Open at Lytham in 2028 should be a treat for fans. That course always provides an exciting test of links golf. As for Turnberry, I imagine the R&A is navigating a delicate political situation there.