Next Open venue confirmed following major revamp – with rare alteration to key detail

Royal Lytham & St Annes has been confirmed as the host venue for the 2028 Open.

The 156th edition of the most famous tournament in golf is heading back to Blackpool for the first time since 2012.

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South Africa’s Ernie Els edged out Adam Scott to win the Claret Jug 14 years ago but now the game’s best will return to the iconic Lancashire course.

The tournament’s date has been shifted from its traditional mid-July schedule to early August due to the LA Olympics.

The Men’s Olympic golf programme will conclude on Saturday, July 22nd with the 2028 Open then being held from Thursday, August 3 to Sunday, August 6.

Royal Lytham & St Annes, established in 1886 and host to 11 Opens, has undergone a major revamp over the last few years.

There have been key improvements to infrastructure around the club, including a new road system, plus funds pumped into the practice areas and course upgrades.

The 11th hole has been redesigned to create space for the new state-of-the-art practice ground while a number of new tees have been added to lengthen the course.

Royal Lytham & St Annes has emerged as the favourite to host in 2028 over the last few weeks after seeing off competition from Trump Turnberry and Muirfield.

Turnberry’s transport links remain problematic and are understood to be the main issue with hosting the Open again over anything political.

A return to Muirfield is also seemingly on hold due to the logistical issues of it being in close proximity to the Renaissance Club, the host of the Scottish Open which is held the week prior.

Royal Lytham & St Annes is a tight, compact site, surrounded by houses on all sides and not directly on the coast like most other links venues.

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It has over 160 bunkers and is a challenging course, demanding shot accuracy, while redevelopers have also constructed new dunes to tighten in certain fairways and green complexes.

The course also unusually begins with a par-3.

Els won with a score of seven-under-par in 2012 and only eight players broke par for the week, including Tiger Woods, Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell.

Other past Open champions at Royal Lytham include Bobby Jones, Bobby Locke, Peter Thomson, Sir Bob Charles, Tony Jacklin, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Tom Lehman and David Duval.

Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “Royal Lytham & St Annes is widely renowned as one of the world’s finest links courses and has witnessed many great championship moments since The Open was first played there in 1926 when the legendary Bobby Jones won.

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“This is one of golf’s most cherished and historic venues and The Open’s return to these famous links will spark huge interest among fans to be part of one of the world’s great sporting events and celebrate the rich traditions of golf’s original Championship.

“We are grateful to the members of Royal Lytham & St Annes and the local authorities for their support in making this happen. We look forward to enjoying another fantastic championship on England’s golf coast in 2028.”

Royal Lytham & St Annes will also host the AIG Women’s Open this summer with the major taking place from July 30 to August 2.

Tim Walker, Chairman of Council at Royal Lytham & St Annes, added: “We are honoured to be chosen as the host venue for The 156th Open in 2028.

“The Club has a long and successful association with The Open, and we take great pride in our place within the Championship’s history.

“It is fitting that this announcement comes as we mark 100 years since Bobby Jones’ victory here in 1926 and the granting of our Royal status.

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“We look forward to welcoming the world’s leading players, together with spectators and audiences from across the globe, to our links on England’s golf coast.”

Scottie Scheffler won The Open last summer, cruising to victory at Royal Portrush while Royal Birkdale Golf Club will host the event this year.

The 154th Open is be held from July 16-19 with the final round taking place on the same day as the World Cup final.

The 2027 Open will then return to the Old Course at St Andrews, continuing its every-five-year inclusion on the rota and bringing up 31 times it has held the event.