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The Independent
8 minutes ago
- The Independent
Trump's Turnberry faces logistical hurdles for British Open return
President Donald Trump is not getting a British Open to the Turnberry course he owns in the near future, an issue the R&A's new chief executive said Wednesday was more about transportation than politics. Turnberry is regarded as the most beautiful of the links on the Open rotation, set along the Ayrshire coast in Scotland across from the Ailsa Craig. It last hosted the Open in 2009, before Trump bought the resort. Mark Darbon, who took over at the R&A this year from Martin Slumbers, said Turnberry had not been taken off the list of potential British Open sites, but transportation and other issues had to be addressed. 'I think we've been extremely clear on our position in respect of Turnberry. We love the golf course but we've got some big logistical challenges there,' he said. 'You see the scale of their setup here and we've got some work to do on the road, rail and accommodation infrastructure around Turnberry.' Darbon said the R&A met with Eric Trump and other leaders of Trump Golf a few months ago and the talks had been constructive. 'I think they understand clearly where we're coming from. We talked through some of the challenges that we have so we've got a good dialogue with them,' he said. Slumbers had previously said the R&A would not be going to Turnberry until it was comfortable the topic would be about golf and not the owner. Turnberry has only hosted the British Open four times, first in 1977 with the famous 'Duel in the Sun' when Tom Watson beat Jack Nicklaus. But the Open is getting bigger, and the roads are limited getting to Turnberry. There has been speculation Trump, whose golf courses have never hosted a men's major, might ask the British government to intercede in getting the Open back to Turnberry. 'We have an ongoing dialogue with the UK government given that we're a major event that creates significant value into the UK economy,' Darbon said. "We've spoken to them specifically about Turnberry and I think they've made it clear that the decision around where we take our championship rests with us. 'I would find it difficult to predict whether there will be any discussion on The Open if the President is making a visit here.' Turnberry is not the only Scottish links being ignored by the R&A. Muirfield, located along the Firth of Forth east of Edinburgh, is reputed to be the purest of links courses. Its first Open was in 1892, and there have been 15 others, most recently in 2013 won by Phil Mickelson. Only St. Andrews has hosted more Opens than Muirfield. But it has not been back there since 2013 as the R&A has been geared toward taking golf's oldest championship to courses that can hold big crowds. It is expected 278,000 spectators will be at Royal Portrush this week, the second-largest behind St. Andrews. The last Open at Muirfield had 142,000 spectators. The Open will be at Royal Birkdale next year, and then St. Andrews in 2027. The site for 2028 has not been announced. Muirfield has never gone more than 11 years — except for interruptions from World War I and World War II — between Opens. 'We love the golf course at Muirfield. We're in a discussion with the venue right now,' Darbon said. "There's some things that we need to evolve at Muirfield — the practice ground in particular is a challenge for us with a modern Open and there's some work we need to do with the venue to facilitate some of the infrastructure that we require. 'But it's a good dialogue and we'd love to be back there in the future.' ___ AP golf:
The Independent
8 minutes ago
- The Independent
Former champion explains what Daniel Dubois must do to reverse Oleksandr Usyk result
George Groves has said Daniel Dubois must 'start fast' against Oleksandr Usyk if he is to gain revenge on his rival on Saturday. When Dubois and Usyk square off at Wembley Stadium, undisputed status will be on the line, as the Ukrainian defends the unified heavyweight belts and the Briton defends the IBF title. The bout comes two years after Usyk, 38, stopped Dubois, 27, after climbing off the canvas following a controversial low blow. On that night in Poland, Dubois thought he had scored a knockdown of the unbeaten southpaw, only for his intended body shot to be ruled a low blow. • Usyk went on to stop Dubois in round nine, having outboxed 'Dynamite' for much of the contest, and former super-middleweight world champion Groves has some advice for the younger boxer. 'Dubois has got to start quick,' Groves said at a Midnite Q&A. 'He's got to be switched on mentally from the changing room and prepare himself to start fast. 'He wants to bring pressure, but educated pressure, and hopefully land something heavy and big on Usyk in those first few rounds.' Groves, 37, said it will be important for Dubois to strike 'before Usyk gets his rhythm set and his distance control set up'. 'But if he has success early, that's the best way to start against Usyk.' Since their first clash in 2023, Usyk has stayed unbeaten, outpointing Tyson Fury in May and December of last year. The former cruiserweight king's first win over Fury saw the Ukrainian crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years, as he spoiled the Briton's undefeated record. Meanwhile, Dubois has won all of his bouts since facing Usyk, stopping Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua. The latter victory, at Wembley Stadium in September, saw Dubois retain the IBF heavyweight title. He was elevated from interim champion to official champion between Usyk's two fights with Fury, as the Ukrainian vacated the regular belt. Dubois was due to defend the IBF title against Joseph Parker in February, but he withdrew on two days' notice due to illness. Parker went on to knock out Martin Bakole, while Dubois was soon paired with Usyk again.
The Independent
8 minutes ago
- The Independent
Tyson Fury wants to be next in line for Oleksandr Usyk, says Frank Warren
Tyson Fury has set his sights on a third meeting with Oleksandr Usyk after the Ukrainian's rematch with Daniel Dubois, according to promoter Frank Warren. Fury, 36, announced his retirement from boxing in January after losing back-to-back bouts to the WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight champion Usyk, who could regain undisputed status when he takes on IBF holder Dubois at Wembley this Saturday. However, the two-time champion has all but confirmed his return to the ring six months on - as he did in 2022 - as Warren reveals he is back in the gym with an eye for the Usyk trilogy in 2026. "I spoke to him [Fury] over the weekend about boxing. He won't fight this year," Queensberry boss Warren, who also promotes Dubois told the 5 Live Boxing podcast. "He's got this Netflix second series coming but he's in the gym. He's in it for his wellbeing, physically and mentally. It keeps him in a good place." "He's got that mentality that he's in the gym and he needs to do something. He's made it clear he wants to fight Usyk." After his return was seemingly disclosed by Saudi Arabian boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, Fury took to social media earlier this month to announce plans for a third bout with Usyk on 18 April 2026. Fury, whose record currently stands at 34-2-1, struggled against Francis Ngannou before suffering consecutive losses to Usyk, but Warren insists he will not re-enter the ring for anything less than a super-fight. Fury has long been touted for a 'Battle of Britain' against heavyweight compatriot Anthony Joshua, but could also share the squared-circle with Dubois should he overcome Usyk, which could send the 38-year-old into retirement. Warren added: "He had some tough fights against [Deontay] Wilder. A fight I don't think he was right for against Ngannou and then the two tough fights against Usyk. "He's controlled most of the fights he's been in but he's not getting any younger. Knowing him, he'll want to go straight in."
