Turnberry hosted The Open in 2009 but is no longer part of the current Open rota. The championship was played on the resort’s Ailsa Course in Ayrshire, Scotland, from 16 to 19 July 2009.
The 138th Open became one of the tournament’s most dramatic editions. Tom Watson, aged 59 and pursuing a record sixth Open title, held the lead late in the final round after a famous birdie at the 71st hole. He narrowly missed the putt that would have made him the oldest major champion, and Stewart Cink defeated him in a four-hole playoff.
Turnberry has hosted four Opens: 1977, 1986, 1994 and 2009. Its earlier editions included the celebrated 1977 “Duel in the Sun” between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. Although the Ailsa Course remains highly regarded, Turnberry has not returned to the active rota since 2009, which distinguishes it from venues such as Royal St George’s, Carnoustie and Royal Liverpool.