Scotland’s Bob MacIntyre desires extra Open Championships to be held north of the border.
Since 2016 the world’s oldest main has solely been staged in Scotland 3 times, at Carnoustie (2018), St Andrews (2022) and Royal Troon (2024).
Nevertheless, with the Previous Course set to host once more subsequent yr, Royal Lytham and St Annes having fun with a long-awaited return in 2028 and Royal Portrush pushing for first-time inclusion, the competitors is rising.
Trump Turnberry has not staged the occasion since 2009 and its connection to america president and infrastructure considerations imply that state of affairs is unlikely to alter, whereas Muirfield is making modifications to enhance its possibilities of bringing again the Open for the primary time since 2013.
‘I really feel like there’s not sufficient Open Championships in Scotland any extra,’ stated MacIntyre forward of his defence of the Alfred Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship, which is performed at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns for the primary three days earlier than a closing day on the Previous Course.
‘It’s solely coming right here (St Andrews). Carnoustie, Muirfield, I’d like to see all of them in it, correct championship take a look at.’
Bob MacIntyre in apply as he makes an attempt to defend his Alfred Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship title
The Open will come to St Andrews in 2027 however different Scottish programs are struggling of late
The occasion additionally has a pro-am group factor to it and that has made it much more of a household affair for brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick, who will associate dad Russell and mum Sue respectively.
Matt arrived in Scotland off the again of his fourth win of the yr on the Open de France, however as three of these had been on the PGA Tour he presently sits ninth within the Race to Dubai, a good distance again from main pair Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy.
Having earlier this month expressed some concern about travelling to the season-ending occasions within the Center East as a result of struggle in Iran, the Sheffield golfer’s place has shifted.
The announcement on Wednesday of a brand new title sponsor for November’s Abu Dhabi Championship was a robust indicator the 2 finale occasions will go forward and Fitzpatrick stated: ‘Clearly the Tour is getting good recommendation.
‘I’ve spoken to a couple folks over the past couple weeks and so they had been very reassuring in what’s happening over there.
‘I’d be very disenchanted to overlook it to be sincere. Form of taking it week by week and simply form of seeing the opposite facet of it. I’ve additionally obtained my eight-week-old son to consider.’
