With Trump’s use of this visit to further his business interests already in the spotlight, Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, faced significant criticism after announcing that his government was in talks to provide £180,000 of public funding for the Aberdeenshire resort as it hosts the 2025 Nexo championship on the DP World Tour next month.

Earlier this month PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan implored Trump to moderate the merger negotiations between his circuit and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, which would enrich the family business. “One doesn’t know if he is acting as president of the United States or simply as a businessman, in trying to promote this merger,” US representative Jamie... See more

Asked about the Open at Monday’s joint press conference, Starmer said “the decision on the Open is not a decision for me” but was swift to praise Turnberry as “absolutely magnificent, both inside and out”.

Starmer’s comments came after the Guardian revealed that senior Whitehall officials had asked golf bosses whether they could host the 2028 Open... See more