July 25, 2025, Turnberry, Scotland, UK: President Donald J. Trump arrives at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, Friday, July 25, 2025. Turnberry UK - ZUMAz03_ 20250725_shc_z03_100 Copyright: xWhitexHousex
July 25, 2025, Turnberry, Scotland, UK: President Donald J. Trump arrives at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, Friday, July 25, 2025. Turnberry UK - ZUMAz03_ 20250725_shc_z03_100 Copyright: xWhitexHousex
The venue for the 2028 Open Championship is expected to be announced next week. However, Turnberry and Muirfield are not among the favorites, according to The Telegraph Sport.
According to reporter James Corrigan, "Royal Lytham and St Annes is the new favourite to host its first Open since 2012, with an announcement expected next week."
Both courses were frontrunners to host events. The R&A wants to work with Turnberry but will not do so while President Trump is still in office, according to the Telegraph. At the same time, pros like Rory McIlroy have advocated for the return of Muirfield, but the reason to look at Lytham might be completely different. That's because the R&A has clear requirements.
“We need a venue that is appropriate from both a logistical and commercial perspective,” said Mark Darbon, the R&A chief executive, to Telegraph Sport last year.
The R&A had laid out guidelines for improvement to Muirfield. It was asked to improve its practice facilities and expand the spectator areas to increase capacity.
Similarly, Turnberry lacks on both fronts - logistically and commercially. Situated remotely, with a poor transportation network, Turnberry does not fit the Open’s code. It also has a big limit to its accommodation capabilities.
If Lytham Is Made the Host, It Will Be Their 12th Open
“Royal Lytham is a fantastic course and, in terms of infrastructure, is right up there. We get around 200,000 spectators in the week but it’s a squeeze and the TV compound is five acres of land. That’s where Lytham gets a bit tight but it can be done," said former R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers, back in February 2019.
Trending slideshow: From Masters to the Open: Every Major Golf Tournament Schedule of 2026
Eknoor Juneja
From Masters to the Open: Every Major Golf Tournament Schedule of 2026The 2026 golf season is packed with must-watch moments across the biggest stages in the sport. From Augusta’s familiar fairways to historic links overseas, the year brings majors for men, women, and seniors with stories building at every stop. This complete schedule helps you track when and where golf’s biggest battles will unfold. Trinity Machan/Imago/Icon SportswireThe road to the Green Jacket begins here in the Georgia pines, where the world’s best gather for the ultimate badge of honor at Augusta National. This is an invitation-only event, which makes it truly unique. A key storyline is whether Rory McIlroy can win a repeat title after his 2025 victory, aiming to join an elite club of back-to-back champions. Petter Arvidson/Imago/BildbyranThis major signifies the enduring skill of golf legends and brings iconic figures like Ernie Els back into the spotlight at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this event is a great chance to see history in the making, as it is the first time the event has been held in Florida since 2000. Timothy L.Hale/Zuma Press Wire/ImagoThe first major of the women’s season happens at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston Texas, the same challenging 7,292-yard municipal track used by the PGA Tour. This tournament carries immense significance for its history of dramatic finishes. This event sets the tone for the entire LPGA major season, and fans are eager to see if the traditional winner's leap into the pond will continue at this new public venue. Lynn Pennington/Imago/ZUMA Press WireWe move from the pristine greens of Augusta to the raw test of Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania for the only all-professional men's major. This classic Donald Ross design, a par-70 stretched to over 7,200 yards, demands precision over power with strategic bunkering and fast greens. It is the 1st venue to host all 3 of the PGA of America’s rotating championships, making every shot a battle for defining status. Tracy Barbutes/ImagoThe U.S. Women's Open heads to the legendary Riviera Country Club in California, a course famous for its challenging layout and Hollywood glamour. This major is known for having one of the largest purses in women's golf, adding financial drama to the pure test of skill for the world's best female golfers who qualified through unique entry requirements. Jeff Siner/ImagoSurvival is the goal at Shinnecock Hills in New York, which returns as the host for 2026, offering penal rough and narrow fairways. This is where golf tests your patience and not just your power, as even the best players struggle to stay under par on this historic and difficult track. The storyline of a potential Scottie Scheffler career Grand Slam looms large over the brutal setup. Shelley Lipton/Imago/Icon SportswireThe senior stars battle it out at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio, which is a storied course cofounded by the Bush family. The event signifies a pure test of veteran skill where experience often trumps youthful power at the course where a young Jack Nicklaus learned the game. This is a must-watch for those who truly appreciate golf history. Chris Keane/USGAThe final men's major of 2026 takes us across the Atlantic to Royal Birkdale on the English coast. Links golf is a different beast where the wind and a single bunker shot can change everything. The local hero storyline of Southport native Tommy Fleetwood, a top-five world player, aiming for his first major in front of a home crowd, provides the perfect dramatic backdrop for this ancient game. Mark Newcombe/ImagoThe women's Open Championship will be held at Royal Lytham and St Annes in England, a historic links course famous for its 204 bunkers. This major signifies the global nature of golf with players from all over the world vying for the title. The highly penal nature of the course's many bunkers and the unpredictable weather always make this event one of the most exciting and challenging tests of the year. Christer Höglund/Imago/TTThe 2026 season culminates in the team match play event at Medinah Country Club in Illinois. This is where national pride is on the line as Team USA faces off against the International Team. It is a thrilling way to end the year and a refreshing shift from individual play, with the US team looking to continue its dominant streak at the site of the famous 2012 "Miracle at Medinah." Brian Spurlock/Imago/Icon Sportswire
Like Muirfield, the R&A had asked Lytham to make changes, which included remodeling the Lancashire layout along with adding a new hole. This would lead to extra space for the requisite infrastructure.
Besides the 26-year gap between the first and second Open at Lytham, the current gap remains the longest, with only Trump’s Turnberry waiting longer among the clubs on the rota.
