Charley Hull, a British golfer who has gained popularity on the LPGA Tour, has expressed interest in the Women’s Open Championship returning to Turnberry despite it being owned by former President Trump. The Trump Organization bought the golf course in 2014, but the Royal & Ancient (R&A) has made it clear that the tournament will not be played there again as long as the company owns it. This decision came after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, and outgoing R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers supported this policy change. Hull expressed her disappointment at the decision, praising the course as one of the best in the world and stating that it would be a shame not to hold the tournament there.
The incoming R&A head, Mark Darbon, has not commented on whether events will return to the Turnberry course. The course’s general manager, Nic Oldham, has suggested that the R&A consider holding the tournament there on the 50th anniversary of the “Duel in the Sun” in 2027, named after Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson’s battle in 1977. The Women’s Open Championship has been held at Turnberry in the past, with Australian Karrie Webb winning in 2002 and South Korean Inbee Park winning in 2015. This year’s Women’s Open Championship is set to take place at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, in August.
Despite the controversy surrounding Turnberry, Charley Hull continues to prepare for the Scottish Open and has shown strong performances in major tournaments, with multiple second-place finishes. Hull’s popularity on the LPGA Tour has been further boosted by viral images of her smoking on the golf course and while signing autographs. The golfer’s outspoken support for the Women’s Open Championship returning to Turnberry has garnered attention, as the debate over the venue’s ownership and the R&A’s decision continues.
As discussions surrounding the Women’s Open Championship and Turnberry unfold, Hull’s remarks on the topic have sparked further conversation within the golf community. The decision to bar the tournament from the course due to the Capitol riot has been met with both support and criticism. As golf fans, players, and officials await further updates on the situation, the potential for future events at Turnberry remains uncertain. The upcoming Women’s Open Championship in St. Andrews will showcase some of the best talent in women’s golf, with players poised to compete on a historic course with its own rich legacy. The sport continues to evolve, with Hull and other players shaping its future on and off the course.
