The famed Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort will not host the Open Championship while American presidential candidate Donald Trump owns the property in South Ayrshire, Scotland, The Independent reported in London.
Turnberry was the favorite to host golf’s oldest major championship in 2020, but a series of controversial comments made by Trump have caused the R&A, which manages the tournament, to change its mind according to the British newspaper.
“The Independent on Sunday can reveal, after golf’s governing body, headquartered in Scotland, privately decided that (Trump’s) reputation is now so toxic that the newly renamed Trump Turnberry can no longer host the game’s most prestigious tournament,” The Independent story read.
“Controversial remarks made by Mr. Trump in his campaign for the Republican nomination–about Muslims, Mexicans, Chinese and women, among others–have given him a near-pariah status in the global game, raising the risk of a boycott by sponsors and international players.”
Turnberry has hosted four Opens, the most recent in 2009, when Stewart Cink outlasted 59-year-old Tom Watson in a four-hole playoff.
Trump purchased the resort in April 2014 and under supervision from the R&A the course is being renovated and lengthened, changes designed to help bring the Open back to Turnberry.
The Independent quoted one insider as saying: “2020 will not happen here. Turnberry will be back. But perhaps not Trump Turnberry.”
Trump National Los Angeles was scheduled to host the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in October, but after Trump’s comments about Mexicans the PGA of America pulled the event that features the four major winners from that season and later canceled the tournament until next year.
Last week, a real estate firm in Dubai removed Trump’s name from a $6-million resort it is partnering on with the businessman after he said all Muslims should be banned from entering the United States.
However, two days later gold letters spelling out “Trump International Golf Club” were put back in place.
