The Japan Times - Trump's Aberdeen course to host revived Scottish Championship

The $2.75-million-dollar tournament, which previously featured as part of the Race to Dubai in 2020, will take place from August 7-10 at Trump International Golf Links.

The Scottish Championship, which replaces the cancelled Czech Masters, was last played in October 2020 at Fairmont St Andrews.

It will clash with the St Jude Championship in the PGA Tour's season-ending play-offs, as well as the Chicago event in LIV Golf.

The Trump International course, situated 16 kilometres north of Aberdeen in north-eastern Scotland, opened in 2012 and staged PGA seniors tournaments in 2023 and 2024.

Guy Kinnings, CEO of the European 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."

Trump, who bought Turnberry in 2014, handed over control of his Scottish golf courses to his sons shortly before he took office at the White House for the first time in 2017 but has retained a financial interest.

Eric Trump, executive vice-president of The Trump Organization, welcomed 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".

The US President also owns Trump Turnberry in southwest Scotland and has reportedly spoken to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the Open Championship returning to the Ayrshire venue, which last hosted it in 2009.

Speaking last month, chief executive Mark Darbon of the Open's organisers R&A said his body's decision-making on who hosted the major must be solely based on the golf and also voiced concerns about the infrastructure around the Ayrshire 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."

Y.Mori--JT