Donald Trump has rolled out the red carpet for LIV Golf on U.S. soil, hosting events at Doral in Florida, Bedminster in New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. But across the Atlantic, at his most famous course in South Ayrshire, Scotland, the LIV brand is not part of the plan.
According to Ricky Hall, Director of Golf at Trump Turnberry, the idea of the Saudi-backed league teeing it up at the Ailsa course has “never been on the radar” for the former president.
“When LIV appeared, the automatic thought was there’s a good chance it would come here,” Hall told the Daily Record. “But that was never on the radar with Mr. Trump.”
Instead, Trump is laser-focused on one goal: bringing back The Open Championship to Turnberry for the first time since 2009.
“Mr. Trump’s been clear all along that he would love to have the Open Championship here and he doesn’t want to do anything that derails that,” Hall explained. “That would be, obviously, his aim.”
R&A Has Been Clear About Trump’s Turnberry
Whether that aim is realistic remains up for debate. The R&A has publicly noted that “big logistical challenges” stand in the way of Turnberry reclaiming Open hosting duties. The political baggage attached to Trump’s ownership hasn’t exactly helped the case either.
Still, Turnberry isn’t closing its doors to big events altogether. Hall floated the idea of pursuing the Scottish Open, citing the club’s long history with the Women’s British Open and the Seniors Open.
“The Scottish Open, obviously an interesting one… is something that we’re very, very open to discussing,” Hall said. “But, obviously, the Ailsa, of course, should have the Open.”
For now, that’s the line. Trump’s U.S. properties may be LIV strongholds, but in Scotland, the prized jewel of his golf empire is being positioned for something far more prestigious: a return to golf’s oldest major.
