By Phil Campbell
Colin Montgomerie urged R&A to resume the return to Turnberry as soon as possible and ignore the controversy surrounding the owner Donald Trump.
The American president bought the famous Scottish lesson in 2014 and the open has remained away since, with 2009 marking its last staging.
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Former Director General of R&A, Martin Slumbers, said that the open would not return to Turnberry until Trump was political and that the accent would only be on golf.
However, his replacement, Mark Darbon, announced that he had interviews with Trump’s son, Eric, about the logistical challenges that Turnberry has, rather than politics.
It is also reported that Trump asked the British government to intervene and convince the R&A to bring its precious event back to its course.
Turnberry, famous for its picturesque coastline and emblematic lighthouse, is renowned as one of the best courses in the world and is a favorite of fans and players.
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It was the scene of Tom Watson’s famous victory against Jack Nicklaus in the 1977 open, nicknamed the `Duel in the Sun ‘, and the quasi-Fairytale of Watson in 2009, when the 59-year-old was almost won, but Bogey jostled the last hole and lost in an eliminatory against Stewart Cink.
Colin Montgomerie playing at the Els Club in Vilamoura
(Andre worse santos)
The open has not yet announced the place of the 2028 open, which should be pushed back from its usual July niche due to the Olympic Games.
And the Scottish legend Montgomerie, 62, insists that Turnberry is the best choice.
“Hopefully we will be able to hand it over there as soon as possible,” he said, speaking when launching the new Golf Club of Ernie Els, Els Club Vilamoura.
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“Because it’s definitely the best course, and we should see the best players on the best lessons.
“It’s a shame, isn’t it, that Turnberry is not currently on the Rota
“It’s the best. We all accept that this is the best course in Great Britain, [certainly the] The best course of links in Great Britain, and it is a shame, because of its standard, that it is not on rotation. »»
Montgomerie is not the only heavy goods vehicle to launch its name behind the campaign.
The American superstar Bryson Dechambeau, a fan of Trump, said he was quite for that.
“It is one of the best golf courses in the world, and I would like it to be part of the rotation,” he said.
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“Although I haven’t played it, I heard so many great things about it, and whenever you can play a special historic golf course like that, I think it’s worthy.”
The R&C indicated the growth of the open and the lack of infrastructure of Turnberry as a reason to stay away.
In 2009, 120,000 people attended Turnberry, against 280,000 who visited Royal Portrush to see Scottie Scheffler win his fourth major title last week.
Darbon, CEO of R&A, said: “We love the golf course – we have not taken it off from our basin of places – but we have big logistical problems there.”
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Montgomerie played an exhibition of nine holes to open the Els Club Vilamoura alongside four times major winner Els and the 2001 Open champion David Duval.
The Algarve course is a 18-hole championship golf course which offers a luxury clubhouse and signature equipment such as the 261 bar, and was built on the Redesssiné Victoria course, which welcomed the Masters of Portugal from 2007 to 2022.
It will host the new PGA Champions Tour event, Portugal Invitational, after having signed a five -year contract.
The first edition of the event should be held from July 31 to August 2, 2026.
Els said: “The golf course is in the pretty ideal place right now and [creating this course] was a very nice business. We want the conditions to be absolutely perfect and people have great experience and good food. »»
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Montgomerie added: “The golf course is superb, and the clubhouse is fantastic. It is not only a course for the present; it is also a course for the future.”
PGA Tour Champions announces Portugal Invititational to be held at the Els Club Vilamoura on the route designed by Ernie Els. PGA Tour Champions, Arrow Global Group, Turismo from Portugal and Turismo de Algarve will offer a five -year partnership and will make its debut at the week of And will have a field of 78 players. For more information, visit https://www.portugalinvitational.com/
