President Donald Trump is set to plead his case for Turnberry to return to The Open Championship rota when he jets into Scotland on Air Force One later this summerJim Black and Sam Frost Senior sports reporter
13:16 ET, 12 Jun 2025
Donald Trump is set to plead Turnberry’s case to Open chiefs this summer(Image: Robert Perry/Getty Images)
Air Force One is set to land in Aberdeen this summer as President Donald Trump prepares to visit his prized Scottish golf courses and plead Turnberry’s case for The Open.
The President is planning to attend the official opening of his new 18-hole course at Trump International in Balmedie ahead of a proposed royal visit later in the year. In addition to his visit to his new course, President Trump is also expected to journey to Ayrshire to advocate for Turnberry’s return to The Open schedule.
Turnberry’s iconic Aisla Course has not hosted the battle for the Claret Jug since 2009. President Trump bought the course in 2014 for more than $50 million.
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While no official date has been released for the unveiling of the multi-million dollar second links course at Trump International, it’s anticipated to take place this summer.
The nearly completed New Course promises to create ‘The Greatest 36 holes of Golf’ alongside the Old Course, which opened in 2012, according to Sarah Malone, Trump’s executive vice-president at the International Golf Links.
Trump last visited the resort in 2023, coinciding with the commencement of work on the second course.
Originally, the plan was to name the new 18-hole course MacLeod, after Trump’s Lewis-born mother, Mary. However, Malone explained that the decision to refer to the two courses as the Old and New is a tribute to tradition.
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Turnberry has not hosted The Open since Trump acquired the keys in 2014(Image: Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images)
Malone weighed in on the strategic advantages for the business, stating: “Having 36 holes is a big thing. It gives us limitless options and possibilities for tournament and professional play.”
Trump International is poised to host two significant tournaments this summer – the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship set for July 31, followed by the Scottish Championship the following week.
Colin Montgomerie, Ryder Cup icon and eight-time European No 1, will be hosting the seniors event again, right before the DP World Tour event that boasts $2.75 million in prize money.
Since acquiring the esteemed Turnberry Links in 2014 – five years after the Ailsa course featured its fourth Open – Trump has overseen the property through some turbulent times.
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The dynamics of Trump’s ownership, combined with the logistical challenges making it the Open venue with the lowest attendance, have seen Turnberry slip off the championship schedule.
The new R&A CEO, Mark Darbon, has recently alluded to the potential for Turnberry to rejoin the Open rota once further enhancements to the site are made.
Montgomerie has called upon Open chiefs to resolve their differences with Trump, suggesting that they should be willing to incur financial losses if necessary to reintegrate such a premier venue into the circuit.
He insisted: “Turnberry needs to happen. It’s ranked No. 1 and rightly so. It’s the best course we have – not in Scotland but in Britain. I don’t think I’m being biased saying that. I think that’s what we all feel.
“So to host the greatest championship in golf is a must somewhere down the line and let’s hope it happens sooner rather than later. Yes, very much so.”
