The Open Championship will return to Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in 2028, marking the 12th time the iconic venue hosts golf’s oldest major.
The announcement confirms that Turnberry and Muirfield have once again missed out on the rotation.
Why Lytham Gets The Nod
Royal Lytham, located near Blackpool, remains one of the most historic venues in golf. It last hosted The Open in 2012 and has staged multiple major events, including Women’s Opens and Ryder Cups. Legends like Seve Ballesteros enjoyed great success here, adding to its legacy.
R&A chief executive Mark Darbon highlighted the venue’s pedigree, calling it one of the most cherished courses in the sport.
Course Upgrades For Modern Demands
Significant redevelopment has taken place to meet modern tournament standards. The par-five 11th has been redesigned into a 601-yard straight hole, while new practice areas and improved internal infrastructure have been introduced.
Despite being near the coast, the course has a unique layout where the sea is not visible, surrounded instead by railway lines and housing.
Why Turnberry And Muirfield Miss Out
Turnberry continues to face logistical challenges, particularly around infrastructure and handling large crowds, despite its world-class reputation.
Muirfield, meanwhile, is dealing with limitations in practice facilities and scheduling issues linked to nearby tournaments, which complicate its return to the Open rota.
Busy Rotation Ahead For The Open
The 2028 edition will be played from August 3 to 6 to avoid a clash with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The north-west of England remains central to the Open rotation, with Royal Liverpool Golf Club hosting in 2023 and Royal Birkdale set for 2026.
Before Lytham, the tournament heads to St Andrews Old Course in 2027 for a record-extending 31st staging.
With its history, upgrades and proven pedigree, Royal Lytham is set to once again take centre stage in world golf.
Discussion about this post