Scotland’s Bob MacIntyre wants more Open Championships to be held north of the border.
Since 2016 the world’s oldest major has only been staged in Scotland three times, at Carnoustie (2018), St Andrews (2022) and Royal Troon (2024).
However, with the Old Course set to host again next year, Royal Lytham and St Annes enjoying a long-awaited return in 2028 and Royal Portrush pushing for first-time inclusion, the competition is increasing.
Trump Turnberry has not staged the event since 2009 and its connection to the United States president and infrastructure concerns mean that situation is unlikely to change, while Muirfield is making changes to improve its chances of bringing back the Open for the first time since 2013.
“I feel like there’s not enough Open Championships in Scotland any more,” said MacIntyre ahead of his defence of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which is played at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns for the first three days before a final day at the Old Course.
“It’s only coming here (St Andrews). Carnoustie, Muirfield, I’d love to see them all in it, proper championship test.”
The event also has a pro-am team element to it and that has made it even more of a family affair for brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick, who will partner dad Russell and mum Sue respectively.
Matt arrived in Scotland off the back of his fourth win of the year at the Open de France, but as three of those were on the PGA Tour he currently sits ninth in the Race to Dubai, a log way back from leading pair Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy.
Having earlier this month expressed some concern about travelling to the season-ending events in the Middle East due to the war in Iran, the Sheffield golfer’s position has shifted.
The announcement on Wednesday of a new title sponsor for November’s Abu Dhabi Championship was a strong indicator the two finale events will go ahead and Fitzpatrick said: “Obviously the Tour is getting good advice.
“I’ve spoken to a few people over the last couple weeks and they were very reassuring in what’s going on over there.
“I would be very disappointed to miss it to be honest. Kind of taking it week by week and just sort of seeing the other side of it. I’ve also got my eight-week-old son to think about.”
