SIR Keir Starmer is pushing for Trump Turnberry to host The Open – in a bid to woo the golf-mad President.
Officials at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have discussed the prospect with golf bosses at the R&A – the operator of the oldest golf tournament in the world.
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One source described the talks as direct lobbying from the government, although others said officials had asked about hypothetical problems with the idea, rather than insisting that it happen.
The Guardian reports the discussions reveal the lengths to which the UK government is going to charm Trump as Starmer attempts to strike a trade deal with the US to lower tariffs.
The 800-acre Turnberry estate in Ayrshire, bought by Trump for £39.5 million in June 2014, last hosted the Open in 2009.
One person with knowledge of the discussions said: “The government is doing everything it can to get close to Trump.
“One concrete thing is that the DCMS have been involved in pushing for the Open to return to Trump-owned Turnberry.”
Trump is a keen golfer who is often pictured playing at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
It’s understood he has repeatedly raised the prospect of the Open returning to Turnberry in phone calls with Starmer.
Government sources said he remained very interested in the fate of his two golf resorts in Scotland.
His second course is Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, which opened in 2012 but would not be considered as a host of the Open.
The earliest it could be hosted at Turnberry would be 2028, as the venues have already been decided until 2027.
It is among the pool of 14 links courses that have hosted the Open.
Trump has publicly called for the Open to return to Turnberry.
In 2023 he declared: “Everybody wants to see the Open Championship here.”
King Charles also referenced Turnberry estate in his letter offering the Trump a state visit this year.
The King pointed out that his foundation at nearby Dumfries House provides hospitality skills training for young people who “often end up as staff in your own establishments”.
A spokesman for the R&A said: “We regularly engage with government and local government regarding venues.
“We have explained the logistical challenges around Turnberry to the government and they are aware of the position.”
Mark Darbon, the R&A’s chief executive, has said that the modern-day Open would need hotel accommodation of more than 60,000 beds in addition to better infrastructure.
He has described the logistical requirements as “challenging at that venue”.
The R&A has also made clear that the focus of the championship must always be on golf.
There are concerns that play would be significantly overshadowed by political rows and protests if it was to be held at the Trump-owned course.
Seven people have been charged over vandalism to the estate’s Ailsa course by pro-Palestinian protesters last month, while Trump’s arrival at the Women’s Open in 2015 at the estate amid his first run for president overshadowed the first day of the tournament.
The resort, which is managed by the president’s son Eric Trump, declined to comment.
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