Royal Troon Lands 2023 Open Seven Years After Stenson-Mickelson Duel

In a bit of a shocker, Royal Troon is returning to The Open rota, prompting multiple media reactions, starting with Turnberry’s hopes of a return now extending to at least 2025. And will the “historic” Adamson Country House “house” media again? Oh, and why such a speedy return?

Just seven years after producing the Stenson-Mickelson duel, it seems Troon’s 100th anniversary and an ability to turn a big profit took priority.

Alistair Tait shares some eye-opening and extensive remarks from Martin Slumbers about the need to grow Open revenues to invest back in the game. While Slumbers’ motives are certainly noble, it also would appear to put pressure on venues to be revenue producers.

Tait writes:

Could the real reason be that Troon can deliver more fans than Muirfield and Turnberry? Exactly 173,134 people turned up at Troon four years ago compared to the 142,000 who attended Muirfield in 2013. Turnberry delivered 123,000 fans for the 2009 Open Championship.

“We’re looking at the Open,” Slumbers said. “It’s growing. The size of crowds is growing. We’re heading into Royal St George’s in just five months now. The previous record for size of crowds at Royal St George’s was 183,000. We will be through 200,000 come July.”

It could also be as simple as Trump Turnberry and Muirfield still having perception issues the R&A wants no part of. Because both are arguably superior to all venues not named the Old Course or Royal Portrush.