Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is set to make history this summer by hosting its first-ever DP World Tour event, marking a significant development for the venue since its opening in 2012.
The event, carrying a prize purse of approximately $3 million, is expected to be officially announced in the coming weeks and will take place in August 2025, according to reports from The Times. Despite the high-profile setting, the tournament may see a limited star turnout as it clashes with both the FedEx St. Jude Championship on the PGA Tour and a LIV Golf event in Chicago.
📉 A Course Under Financial Pressure
This announcement follows financial struggles for the course. Trump International reported its 11th consecutive annual loss in 2023, with pre-tax losses totaling $2 million. Hosting a major international event could help elevate the profile—and profitability—of the venue, which has been in the spotlight for both its design and political connections.
🌍 First DP World Tour Stop at a Trump Course in Europe
While Trump-owned courses have hosted professional events in the United States, this will be the first time a regular DP World Tour event is held at one of his European properties. Previously, Trump has sought to bring the Open Championship back to his Turnberry resort, but those efforts have so far been unsuccessful.
Recent reports suggest that both UK government officials and Trump himself have lobbied for Turnberry to be considered for the 2028 Open, with discussions reportedly involving the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the R&A, the body responsible for organizing the championship.
🗣️ R&A and Government Respond
The R&A, under new chief executive March Darbon, acknowledged that Turnberry could be considered as a future host, though they reiterated that “logistical challenges” remain. Meanwhile, the UK government confirmed its communication with sports organizations is standard, emphasizing that tournament decisions rest solely with governing bodies.
A government spokesperson told the media:
“It’s for sporting bodies to decide on tournament venues, not the government. We remain in regular contact, but the final decision is not ours.”
⛳ What This Means for the DP World Tour
While the player field may not be stacked due to scheduling conflicts, this move underscores the DP World Tour’s ongoing efforts to expand globally and tap into high-profile venues—even controversial ones. Whether it leads to more events at Trump courses in the future remains to be seen.
