Royal Lytham Stuns the Golf World: 2028 Open Confirmed as Trump’s Turnberry Faces Another Cold Shoulder

The R&A has fired a decisive shot in the ongoing saga of The Open Championship rota, officially announcing that Royal Lytham & St Annes will host the 152nd edition of golf’s oldest major in July 2028. The decision, while celebrated by traditionalists, sends a seismic ripple through the sport: Donald Trump’s Turnberry has been passed over yet again, alongside the formidable Muirfield.

For the first time since 2001, the Claret Jug will return to the Lancashire coast. This is a venue steeped in history, where Seve Ballesteros etched his name into legend with two of his three Open victories. But the headline is not just what Lytham offers—it is what the R&A has chosen to avoid. Turnberry, a course many rank among the world’s most beautiful, remains in the penalty box, and the reasons are as political as they are logistical.

Why Royal Lytham? The Seve Factor and the Ultimate Links Test

Royal Lytham is not a typical Open venue. Unlike St Andrews or Royal Birkdale, it does not offer panoramic sea views. Instead, it is an inland links, protected from the Irish Sea by dunes and a dense residential area. The course demands precision over power. It is a place where strategy trumps brawn, and no one demonstrated this better than Seve Ballesteros.

In 1979, a 22-year-old Ballesteros produced one of the most iconic shots in Open history—a blind wedge from a car park on the 16th hole—to secure his first Claret Jug. He returned in 1988 to win again, cementing Lytham as his spiritual home. The R&A is leaning heavily into this nostalgia, knowing that the 2028 championship will mark the 40th anniversary of Seve’s second victory. Expect a festival of Spanish flags and emotional tributes.

Beyond the romance, Lytham is a brutal examination. The course features 206 bunkers, more than any other Open venue. The par-3s are among the toughest in championship golf. In 2012, the last time The Open was held here, Ernie Els won in dramatic fashion after Adam Scott’s four-bogey collapse over the final four holes. The R&A knows that Lytham produces unpredictable, high-drama finishes—a key ingredient for global television audiences.

• Key strengths of Royal Lytham: Strategic bunkering, demanding long irons, historic atmosphere, and a finish that tests nerves.
• Weakness: Limited space for hospitality and corporate tents, which the R&A has been working to expand.

The Turnberry Elephant in the Room: Politics, Logistics, and a Trump-Shaped Problem

Let’s address the question every golf fan is asking: Why not Turnberry? The Ayrshire gem, which last hosted The Open in 2009—five years before Donald Trump purchased the property—is widely considered a masterpiece. It has the iconic lighthouse, the dramatic coastal holes, and a recent renovation that restored many of its original features. On merit, it should be a regular rota member.

However, the R&A’s decision is a masterclass in diplomatic avoidance. Last year, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon met with Eric Trump to discuss a potential return. The official line was that there were “big logistical issues” at the venue. Those issues are real: Turnberry’s single access road creates traffic nightmares, and the hotel infrastructure is stretched. But the elephant in the room is Donald Trump himself.

Since Trump’s presidency and his subsequent legal and political controversies, the R&A has been under pressure from British government officials and corporate sponsors to keep Turnberry off the rota. The 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst saw Trump’s name mentioned only in whispers. For The Open—a championship that prides itself on tradition and political neutrality—hosting at a Trump-owned course would invite a media firestorm. The R&A has chosen the path of least resistance.

Muirfield’s exclusion is less controversial but equally telling. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers voted to admit female members in 2017 after a public backlash, but the R&A has still not rushed to bring it back. The last Open at Muirfield was in 2013 (won by Phil Mickelson). The course remains a top-tier test, but the R&A is prioritizing courses with modern infrastructure and inclusive governance.

Expert Analysis: What This Means for The Open Rota and Future Scheduling

As a veteran observer of the championship circuit, I see this as a pivot point for the R&A. The organization is balancing tradition with commercial reality. Royal Lytham is a safe, beloved choice. But the decision to snub Turnberry and Muirfield signals a shift toward “bankable” venues—courses that offer logistical ease, government support, and minimal controversy.

Look at the recent rota additions: Royal Portrush (2019, 2025) was a huge success, and the R&A is committed to Northern Ireland. St Andrews will host in 2027. Royal Liverpool (2023) and Royal Troon (2024) are on the schedule. The R&A is spreading the wealth, but they are also avoiding risk.

Predictions for the 2028 Open at Royal Lytham:

• Weather will be the great equalizer. Lytham is exposed to wind off the Irish Sea. If it blows, expect a winning score around even par. If it’s calm, someone like Rory McIlroy (who loves links golf) or Jon Rahm (a Seve disciple) could dominate.
• A European winner is likely. The course rewards creativity and feel. American bombers often struggle with the tight fairways and deep bunkers. Look for a Scandinavian or Spanish contender.
• The “car park” moment will be replayed endlessly. The R&A will erect a plaque on the 16th hole to honor Seve. Expect a player to hit a miraculous recovery shot from an impossible lie—and the broadcast will cut to the 1988 footage.

As for Turnberry? I predict it will not host The Open during Trump’s lifetime. The political baggage is too heavy. However, if the property is sold to a less controversial owner, the R&A could revisit. The course is too good to ignore forever. But for now, the Claret Jug stays away.

Conclusion: A Safe Bet That Honors the Past

The R&A’s decision to award the 2028 Open to Royal Lytham & St Annes is not a surprise, but it is a statement. It says that the championship values history over headlines, and that logistics and reputation matter as much as course design. For fans of Seve Ballesteros, this is a victory. For those hoping to see Trump’s Turnberry redeemed, it is a bitter disappointment.

Royal Lytham will deliver a classic Open. It always does. The fairways will be firm, the bunkers will be deep, and the final round will be a rollercoaster. As the sun sets over the Lancashire dunes in July 2028, the champion will lift the Claret Jug on a course where legends are made. And Turnberry? It will watch from the sidelines, waiting for a day that may never come.

Final prediction: The 2028 Open will be won by a player under 30 who grew up watching Seve highlights. The winner’s speech will mention Ballesteros. The R&A will breathe a sigh of relief. And the debate over Turnberry will rage on.

Source: Based on news from BBC Sport.