TURNBERRY is still very much part of the R&A’s plans as a host course for the Open Championship despite controversy over connections with new US President, Donald Trump. 

Speculation has been swirling on both sides of the Atlantic that the
course may no longer be in favour owing to the outspoken views of Mr Trump, which prompted protests in South Ayrshire.

Royal and Ancient chief executive Martin Slumbers addressed the media on the rumours last week and was very keen to point out that the refurbished Ailsa Course, which has hosted the world’s oldest golf major on four occasions since 1977, is set to host it again in the future and remains on the rota.

A venue for the 2022 championship has still to be decided and Slumbers said: “We are focused on Turnberry as a golf course.

“There has been nothing that has happened in the last year to change its status on the rota. It remains absolutely as one of our nine courses. Turnberry wasn’t involved in the discussions for 2020 and 2021 and we won’t be thinking about 2022 for at least another year. It is very important that we are clear about what out business is, which is making sure the Open is one of the world’s greatest sporting events and that it should stay out of politics.”

Turnberry first staged the most famous major in 1977 when Tom Watson outlasted fellow American Jack Nicklaus in what was dubbed the Duel in the Sun. Nine years later Greg Norman won his first of two Claret Jugs and in 1994 Zimbabwe-born Nick Price took the title. Then most recently in 2009, Watson came inches away from regaining the trophy aged 59, losing out to Stewart Cink in a playoff.