The Open: Donald Trump doubts Turnberry will lose majors

  • Published
Donald TrumpImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Donald Trump, who owns several golf courses in America and Dubai, purchased Turnberry in 2014

US billionaire and presidential candidate Donald Trump does not believe his comments about illegal immigration will cost Turnberry the chance to host major championships.

The 69-year-old bought the Ayrshire golf resort in 2014, the venue for this week's Women's British Open.

Trump said some Mexican immigrants to the USA bring drugs and crime., external

Asked about the risk of losing future Opens, Trump said: "It doesn't matter to me. I have to do what's right."

He added: "There's probably not going to be a problem with that.

"What I said in the United States turned out to be true - it was right. We were talking about illegal immigration. So if it does, it does."

The PGA of America has moved October's Grand Slam of Golf, external from Trump's Los Angeles course after his comments.

Trump said Turnberry will be the "greatest canvas in the world" after renovations, which will begin in September, are completed in June 2016, and that the R&A has "wanted this to be done for decades".

Peter Dawson, chief executive of the R&A, has said there was no rush to make a decision on Turnberry's future as a potential host of further Opens.

Turnberry last staged the tournament in 2009 and is one of 10 courses on rotation as potential venues, with 2021 the earliest it could next host the event.

Trump, on a short break from election campaigning in the USA, arrived at Turnberry via helicopter on Wednesday before the Women's British Open which started on Thursday.

He also owns several courses in the USA, including Bedminster in New Jersey, which will host the 2022 PGA Championship and 2017 US Women's Open.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

American Lizette Salas, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, is competing in the British Open at Turnberry this week

Around the BBC

Related Internet Links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.