Paul McGinley 'sad' to see Turnberry out in wilderness for The Open

Paul McGinley, the winning Ryder Cup captain at Gleneagles in 2014, reckons golf is losing out without Turnberry on the rota for The Open.

The R&A said this week that it is not planning to host any of its championships, including The Open, at Turnberry in the "foreseeable future". Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.

Earlier this week, the R&A said it had no plans to stage the Claret Jug event at the picturesque Ayrshire venue owned by Donald Trump in the “foreseeable future”.

The St Andrews-based organisation revealed its stance after the PGA of America pulled the plug on plans to stage the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump’s Bedminster course in New Jersey.

That decision was made after supporters of outgoing US president Trump attacked the Capitol buildings in Washington last week.

In a column for skysports.com, McGinley said: “Recent events in the United States have prompted various golf authorities to distance themselves from Donald Trump.

“The stance from PGA and R&A came as no surprise and, although understandable in light of recent events, it's a clear indication that ownership is now 'officially' an issue to both organisations in deciding their major championship venues.

”The R&A stopped short of admitting they would only reconsider if Trump was to sell the Ayrshire resort.

“From a purely golfing standpoint, it's sad that The Open has been, for the foreseeable future, robbed of what I personally believe to be the best course on the rota.

“Turnberry is a venue etched in the mind of many golfers because of its history in producing memorable Open Championships.

“The first to be staged there in 1977 was one of the best in Open history, the memorable "Duel in the Sun" between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, whose birdie on the 72nd hole clinched the second of his five Open titles.”

The Irishman added: “The Ailsa was already a great golf course before renowned architect, Martin Ebert, oversaw a number of recent significant changes to the layout - and all for the better.

“In my opinion, the original design was just behind Muirfield as the best course among the Open venues. Since the overhaul, I'd say it is now the best of the best.

“Purely in terms of aesthetics, there are not many finer golf courses in the world.”

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