Royal Lytham Announced for 2028 Open: Turnberry and Muirfield Snubbed Again

The R&A has officially confirmed that Royal Lytham & St Annes will host The 152nd Open Championship in 2028. The decision, announced earlier this week, sends a clear signal about the future of the rota, leaving two of the most historically significant—and controversial—courses on the sidelines. While Lytham prepares for its first Open since 2012, the absence of Turnberry and Muirfield from the schedule continues to dominate the conversation.

For the golf world, this is a moment of both celebration and deep scrutiny. Royal Lytham is a classic, demanding links that has produced unforgettable champions from Bobby Jones to Ernie Els. But the real story lies in who is not on the list.

Why Turnberry and Muirfield Missed Out

The R&A’s decision to bypass Turnberry is the headline. The Ayrshire gem, owned by U.S. President Donald Trump, last hosted The Open in 2009—five years before Trump acquired the property. The course itself is universally praised; its dramatic closing stretch along the Firth of Clyde is among the most breathtaking in championship golf. Yet the politics surrounding the venue have made a return impossible for the foreseeable future.

Last year, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon met with Eric Trump to discuss a potential return. Those talks, however, stalled. Darbon publicly cited “big logistical issues” at the venue, a phrase that insiders interpret as a diplomatic way of acknowledging the political firestorm that would accompany any Open at a Trump property. The R&A also confirmed that the UK government had “spoken with the R&A about Turnberry,” suggesting that Downing Street has effectively vetoed the venue—at least while Trump remains a polarizing figure in British politics.

Muirfield’s exclusion is a different, but equally complex, story. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which owns Muirfield, was removed from the rota in 2016 after voting against admitting female members. The club reversed that decision in 2017, but the damage was done. Despite the R&A publicly stating that Muirfield is “back in consideration,” the course has not hosted an Open since 2013. The 2028 announcement confirms that Muirfield remains in the penalty box, and with Royal Portrush, St Andrews, and now Lytham filling the slots through 2028, the wait for Muirfield’s return could stretch well into the 2030s.

The R&A’s Strategic Play

By choosing Royal Lytham & St Annes, the R&A is making a statement of stability. Lytham is a proven championship venue with no political baggage. It offers a classic, punishing links test where the rough is notoriously thick and the bunkers are among the most feared in the game. The course last hosted in 2012, when Adam Scott famously collapsed down the stretch, handing the Claret Jug to Ernie Els. That drama is exactly what the R&A wants: pure golf, not headlines about ownership or membership policies.

But the decision also buys the R&A time. By 2028, the political landscape may have shifted. Trump will be out of office (barring a 2024 re-election and subsequent term), and the Turnberry question could be revisited with less heat. Similarly, Muirfield’s membership reforms will have had over a decade to settle. The R&A is playing the long game, and Lytham is the safe, reliable bet in the interim.

What Royal Lytham Brings to the Table

Let’s talk about the course itself. Royal Lytham & St Annes is not the most scenic Open venue—it lacks the dunes of Royal County Down or the coastline of St Andrews. But it is a brutal examination of shot-making. The 1st hole is a par-3, a rarity in championship golf. The 17th and 18th are both par-4s that have broken the hearts of contenders for decades.

The key to success at Lytham is driving accuracy. The fairways are narrow, the rough is penal, and the bunkers—206 of them—are positioned to catch even the slightest miss. In 2012, Ernie Els won with a score of -7, proving that par is a friend here. Expect the R&A to set up the course with firm, fast conditions, making the 2028 Open a true test of links golf IQ.

For fans, the location is a bonus. Lytham St Annes is a charming seaside town in Lancashire, with excellent transport links and a passionate golf community. The 2028 event will be a boost to the local economy, and the R&A can expect strong ticket sales from a UK audience eager to see the Claret Jug return to the northwest.

Predictions for the 2028 Open

Looking ahead, who will thrive at Lytham? The course favors ball-strikers who can control trajectory and shape shots into the wind. Think of players like Rory McIlroy, who finished tied for 60th in 2012 but has since matured into a links master. By 2028, McIlroy will be 39—still in his prime window. If he hasn’t won The Open by then, Lytham could be his redemption.

Another name to watch: Ludvig Åberg. The young Swede has the game for links golf—long, straight off the tee, and a superb iron player. By 2028, he will be 28 and likely a multiple major winner. Tommy Fleetwood, a local hero from Southport, will also be a sentimental favorite. He finished second at Lytham in the 2018 Dunhill Links (played on a composite course), and his links pedigree is undeniable.

Don’t sleep on the LIV Golf factor. By 2028, the PGA Tour and LIV may have reached a detente, meaning players like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau could be in the field. Rahm’s power and short game would suit Lytham’s demanding par-4s, while DeChambeau’s aggressive style could either produce a historic low score or a spectacular blow-up.

The Bigger Picture: The Open Rota’s Future

The 2028 decision is a microcosm of the R&A’s balancing act. The rota is shrinking. Royal St George’s, Royal Liverpool, and Royal Portrush are in the mix, but Turnberry and Muirfield are the two elephants in the room. The R&A cannot afford to alienate its core audience—traditionalists who want to see the great courses—while also navigating modern political and social pressures.

My analysis: Turnberry will return, but not until after 2030. The Trump ownership is a temporary obstacle, not a permanent one. If the political climate cools, the R&A will bring it back because the course is simply too good to ignore. Muirfield is a tougher call. The Honourable Company has done the right thing, but the R&A may view the course as a “once bitten, twice shy” situation. Expect Muirfield to host again, but only after a decade of proven inclusivity and a full reset of public perception.

For now, Royal Lytham & St Annes gets its moment. It is a worthy host, a course that demands everything from the world’s best players. The 2028 Open will not be about politics or controversy. It will be about golf—pure, punishing, and unforgettable.

Final Verdict

The R&A has made the right call for 2028. Lytham is a safe, spectacular choice that puts the focus back on the competition. The snubs of Turnberry and Muirfield are frustrating for fans of those courses, but they are necessary for the health of the championship. By 2028, the golf world will be buzzing about who can conquer Lytham’s bunkers and winds. And when the Claret Jug is lifted on the 18th green, the story will be about the champion—not the venue.

Mark your calendars for July 2028. Royal Lytham is back, and The Open is exactly where it belongs.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.