If we start seeing Mackenzie and Ebert get jobs in Australis over OCM and MDP, then we can predict where the open is headed. However, we're all missing here that if say they make the Open be playable in any region in the commonwealth, that creates the opportunity for a DLF Open Championship

I laughed as I watched Johnson Wagner go round the Open Clubhouse on 'Golf Channel', wondering what Max Faulkner would make of it all. I'm just curious how big the Open Championship would be if it had none of all the fancy stuff and just relied on the history, Claret Jug and prize money. Would players still come? As for venues, I'd like to see Royal Cinque Ports back. If RSG is well-positioned then RCP is, too, and RCP is as good. And though it was always considered too remote, Saunton is only four hours from London and two from Bristol these days. It has loads of space, and the East Course is definitely Open-worthy. I wouldn't like to see the Open Championship go anywhere other than Britain or Northern Ireland. Portmarnock is superb, but it's in the Republic. If it happens, so be it. But it wouldn't feel right. It should host the Irish Open every few years, though.

Wow, I had not realized we haven't seen The Open at Lytham in 13 (!!!) years. That's a shame. 2012 was a great championship. I understand what the R&A is trying to do, I really do, but if we're not going to get Carnoustie for future Opens because of a hotel... what are we even doing. And without getting political it is truly a shame we haven't seen Turnberry host this event for more than a decade and a half now. Such great history there with equally great holes. (Fwiw, Garrett, Donny T's term ends in January 2029, so I guess we'll have to tack on another year of waiting.)

I've played many of the ROTA courses. And, I've played Turnberry. Turnberry belongs with the other ROTA courses. It is a gem. I hope that the R&A can put politics aside and give this course its due.

I understand the sentiment on the PGA going global, but it's the PGA of AMERICA's championship. Therefore, it will be in America. It would be nice but it's not a realistic thing to ever expect. The R&A leaving GB&I for The Open would make me physically ill. With all due respect to Le Golf National in Paris, the thought of seeing this championship contested there rather than one of the links courses you mentioned is repulsive.

Not to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm but, trust me, you can go wrong over here! That’s not to say that there aren’t hundreds of courses worth playing - including many that may never have seen an international visitor - but we have our fair share of absolute dog tracks as well (mainly built on unsuitable agricultural land in the 80s and 90s).

Is Royal Dornoch just a non starter due to lodging? While I’d sort of hate for it to be even harder to get a tee time there I’d love it to be shown off for the glorious course that it is. Other options like Kingsbarns have shown they can host major tournaments like the Dunhill. Would those ever come into rota consideration?

I just stopped in and played KP on drive from Boston back to NYC. I got there at 6p so only had time to play the front 9 (Emmet). Such a cool course! The greens were super interesting - a lot of great contours. Really enjoyed it. Not super long. Fun, easy walk with some awesome greens. Definitely check it out. I think I paid $20 for twilight.

I don't understand the negative perception of the Renaissance. I wouldn't say it is my favorite course, but I think it's a good test. For me, functionally, there would be very little difference watching a tournament on TV held at Renaissance vs. Gullane or Dundonald. Playing the courses yourself? Sure, massive difference. Watching it on TV? It's a links test enough for the pros that I can't tell a difference. I am all for nitpicking, but we get such little time to watch the pros play on the links that even Tom's "quasi-neo-modern links" test feels precious. I don't want to waste that precious time wishing for something marginally better.

I don't see how the Open going to a course outside of GB&I would do anything positive to their brand. The R&A needs to learn a lesson from the Masters playbook. The Masters, at least in the US is far and away the most profitable golf brand. They have a global brand that stretches to the most remote corners of the sporting world. It would be asinine to argue the Masters should travel to other golf courses. That being said, every year when the Latin America Amateur Championship rolls around, the golf world tunes in to a small course south of the equater to see who will get a shot at a green jacket. I can't imagine how positive ANGC's presence in Latin America and the Pacific has done for their brand. I know the Open has the Open Qualifying Series, but that is still so far removed from the average everyday golfer. I also know they have a presence at Latin America and Asia Pacific Amateur, but, at least to me, their presence is overshadowed by Augusta's. It is possible to grow your brand without throwing your history in the trash. They should lean into what they do best instead of trying to rewrite the script.