LOS ANGELES — Donald Trump desperately wants to host a major golf tournament.
Probably not happening anytime soon.
While one was scheduled at his course in Bedminster the 2022 PGA Championship, the PGA of America took that away after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, an action Trump later was found to provoke. Now, Greg Norman has a better chance of being named commissioner of the PGA Tour than Trump does at hosting a men’s major.
Of course, Trump has a lot more to be concerned about this week than hosting a major golf tournament. But after the former president appears in federal court Tuesday in Florida for his arraignment on 37 criminal counts, he can watch the U.S. Open at the Los Angeles Country Club.
Trump said last month that “everybody wants to see the (British) Open Championship” held at the Trump Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. Well, not everybody.
In fact, not anybody who actually would make that decision.
The R&A, which runs golf’s oldest major, said Turnberry would never host the British Open as long as it is owned by Trump, according to The Telegraph. Sources told the Telegraph organizers are “adamant” the property would not be considered due to the perceived security risks from potential protesters.
In an interview with GB News, a British television and radio station, Trump said he spent a “tremendous” amount of money redeveloping the course. He said he was advised by the former chief executive of the R&A, Peter Dawson.
“It was done with a great architect,” he said. “A great golf architect recommended by Peter Dawson. … I said give me the best one and Martin Grant Hawtree. He’s a fabulous guy, a fabulous man. … What he does is this type of course, he really did a great job.
“We’re going to make a couple of little minor adjustments but it’s fantastic. Everybody wants to see the Open Championship here — the players, it’s their favorite course, it’s the No. 1 rated in Europe.”
Turnberry isn’t even the top rated course in Scotland. That distinction belongs to St. Andrews. And it does not appear in the top 10 courses in Europe on some lists.
Turnberry last hosted the British Open in 2009. Trump purchased the property five years later. When Trump was at the resort about a month ago, staff waved hats that said “Made Turnberry Great Again.”
Trump is hosting three LIV Golf events this year at his courses: outside of Washington, D.C., at Bedminster, New Jersey and at Doral in Florida.