Donald Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf course to host Scottish Championship as part of world tour

Donald Trump’s golf course in Aberdeenshire will host the Scottish Championship as part of the DP World Tour this summer.

The Championship has been added to the world tour schedule for August this year at Trump International Golf Links on the Menie Estate in Balmedie.

The £2m tournament will take place from August 7-10 a week after the venue will host the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship for the third year in succession.

The Scottish Championship was last played in October 2020 when Adrian Otaegui finished four shots clear of Matt Wallace at Fairmont St Andrews.

It comes as the US President has reportedly spoken to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer about the Open Championship returning to Turnberry.

The South Ayrshire course last hosted the Open in 2009.

Eric Trump, executive vice-president of The Trump Organization, hailed the announcement as a “significant milestone which reflects the hard work of our team and is a true testament to the exceptional golf and hospitality we deliver in Scotland.”

Guy Kinnings, CEO of the DP World Tour, said: “Trump International Golf Links Scotland has already earned a reputation as one of the best modern links courses in the UK and it promises to be an excellent venue for the return of the Scottish Championship to our schedule.”

Mark Darbon, chief executive of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A) said last month that the focus of any Open must be solely on the golf.

He also voiced concerns about the infrastructure around the Girvan course.

“The golf course is magnificent,” Darbon said.

“If anything, it’s better now than it ever has been, given some of the improvements that have been made to the course.

“But there are some challenges around the road and rail network, some of the accommodation provision in the surrounding area, and so we’re working on what a model could look like for the future.”