Golf story by Fred Smith, Fri, 02 Dec 2005 10:12:00 GMT


Turnberry in Scotland has been chosen to host the 138th edition of British Open from July 16-19, 2009. This will be the fourth Open to be played in Ayrshire course in Turnberry since it was shortlisted as a venue. It hosted the first tournament in 1977 when Tom Watson grabbed the title by beating Jack Nicklaus in a game by one shot, which later became famous as “Duel in the Sun”.

Director David Hill of R& A (Royal and Ancient Club), the golf's world governing body for rules and development, said: “There has never been any doubt that the Open would return to Turnberry, one of our very best links courses. But before reaching that decision we had to be convinced that every aspect of our forward planning process was in place to ensure a successful return.”

In 1986, Greg Norman won after opening with an incredible second-round 63. In the 1994 championship, Nick Price won after a tough duel with Jesper Parnevik.

In 2006, Royal Liverpool in England is to play host for British Open. In 2007, Carnoustie, Scotland, and Royal Birkdale, England in 2008 will play the hosts.

The R& A, which is the governing body for golf everywhere excepting the United States, had indicated that a new link road was required and chairman of the R&A's championship committee, Martin Kippax, said that Turnberry would be considered for 2009 after he saw “a shovel in the ground”.

According to David Hill, the South Ayrshire council proceeded “well beyond that point”. He added that the construction of the road to the course was approved and also a new traffic management was being implemented.

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