American golf star Bryson DeChambeau has thrown his weight behind the idea of Donald Trump’s Turnberry course in Scotland returning to the prestigious rota of venues hosting the Open Championship. Speaking on July 18, 2025, amid the ongoing Open Championship at Royal Portrush, DeChambeau expressed enthusiastic support for Turnberry, stating, “It’s one of the best golf courses in the world, and I’d love for it to be a part of the rotation.”
Turnberry, a stunning links course along the Ayrshire coast, last hosted the Open in 2009 before the Trump Organization acquired the resort. That year, 59-year-old Tom Watson famously missed a playoff victory by bogeying the final hole, eventually losing to Stewart Cink. Since then, the course has remained on the R&A’s 10-venue British Open rotation but has not been an active host.
DeChambeau, a two-time major champion known for his analytical approach and club tinkering, has yet to play Turnberry himself but has heard glowing reviews. “Albeit I haven’t played it, I’ve heard so many great things about it, and anytime you get to play a special historical golf course like that, I think it’s worthy of it, for sure,” he said.
The R&A, which organizes the Open, has acknowledged the potential for Turnberry to host again but has raised significant logistical concerns. Mark Darbon, R&A chief executive, highlighted transportation and infrastructure challenges that must be addressed before the course can be considered for future tournaments. “You see the scale of their setup here, and we’ve got some work to do on the road, rail and accommodation infrastructure around Turnberry,” Darbon remarked following a meeting with Eric Trump and other Trump Golf leaders earlier in July. He described the discussions as constructive but emphasized the “big logistical challenges” facing the venue.
DeChambeau is optimistic about the possibility of Turnberry’s return to the Open rotation. He believes that President Trump, who owns the course, would respect the R&A’s authority and work diligently to make the venue a special Open site. “He’d still probably respect the R&A and what they’re trying to accomplish,” DeChambeau said. “I can’t speak on his behalf, but what I can say is knowing him, he’ll do his best of a job as he possibly can.”
The American golfer’s relationship with Trump is well documented. The two have shared the stage at an election party in Florida in November 2024, and DeChambeau has practiced short game alongside Trump on the South Lawn of the White House. Their round at Bedminster Golf Club in New Jersey last year, where they attempted to break 50 off the forward tees using a scramble format, has been a viral sensation, amassing over 15 million views on YouTube. “Got like 15 million views or something,” DeChambeau joked. “It was fun.”
DeChambeau’s own performance at the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush has been a tale of resilience. After opening with a disappointing 78, he bounced back with a superb 6-under-par 65 in the second round, featuring seven birdies and a single bogey. This effort brought him to one-over for the tournament, keeping his hopes alive as the event progresses. Reflecting on his turnaround, DeChambeau credited his father’s mantra of never giving up and acknowledged the unique challenges of links golf. “I’ve played the same as I did yesterday. That’s links golf for you,” he said.
Adding to his preparations, DeChambeau revealed he has been experimenting with a new golf ball designed to improve control and consistency, particularly on wedge shots. “I need a golf ball that on wedges can click on the face more consistently. I get a lot of slipping on the face just because of how vertical I am and how much loft I have,” he explained. He anticipates an iteration of this ball to be ready within weeks, or by September at the latest.
While DeChambeau pushes for Turnberry’s inclusion in the Open rotation, other factors complicate the picture. Reports have surfaced about the relatively low income generated by the venue and ongoing infrastructure concerns. Additionally, Trump’s high-profile political activities, including his prominent behavior at the recent Club World Cup where he shared a stage for Chelsea’s trophy lift, have reportedly reinforced the R&A’s determination to “stay out of politics.”
Nevertheless, DeChambeau remains undeterred, urging the R&A to consider Turnberry for the next available Open slot in 2028. His stance highlights a focus on the golf course’s merits above political considerations. “I look at it as a golf course,” he said. “I think it’s worthy of it for sure.”
Meanwhile, other players continue to battle the elements at Royal Portrush. Harris English, another American competitor, finished the day five under par. English shared that his caddie, Eric Larson, was unable to join him due to UK visa restrictions linked to a decades-old drug conviction. Despite this setback, English praised Larson’s positivity and support from afar, underscoring the personal stories that enrich the tournament.
As the Open Championship unfolds, the debate over Turnberry’s future remains a compelling subplot. With DeChambeau’s vocal backing and ongoing discussions between the R&A and Trump Golf leadership, the iconic Scottish course’s return to hosting the world’s oldest major appears to be a matter of when, not if. For now, the focus stays on the drama at Royal Portrush, where the world’s best golfers vie for glory amid the rugged Northern Irish coastline.
