The proposal to hold the British Open, formally known as the Open Championship, outside the United Kingdom has sparked strong reactions within the golf community. This debate, referred to as the PGA Tour British Open Location Debate, gained traction after two-time Open winner Padraig Harrington suggested the idea earlier this year during an interview.
Padraig Harrington, an Ireland native, raised the possibility of moving the Open Championship to locations such as Australia, the Netherlands, France, or New Zealand, all known for their links-style golf courses. Although he did not propose an immediate change, he expressed openness to the idea happening within the next few decades, emphasizing the importance of keeping the tournament on links courses.
Opposition from PGA Tour Veteran Billy Horschel on Relocating the Open
Billy Horschel, a forthright PGA Tour veteran, strongly criticized the suggestion of moving the British Open outside the UK during a recent appearance on The Fried Egg Golf Podcast with Andy Johnson. He described the idea as
“the stupidest freaking thing I’ve ever heard,”
signaling his firm stance against such a change.
Horschel drew on his experience at the 2015 U.S. Open held at Chambers Bay, where he publicly criticized the course conditions, particularly the greens. Despite reconciling with USGA leadership later, he emphasized that some tournaments, like the U.S. Open, must remain true to their defining characteristics, a principle he believes the Open Championship should uphold as well.
He further elaborated on the importance of the Open being contested on British links courses or at least within the United Kingdom, saying that courses outside the UK, even if links-styled, would lack the authentic atmosphere that defines the event. Horschel expressed enthusiasm for venues like Portmarnock in Ireland but dismissed relocating the tournament to other continents.
The Role of Location in Preserving the Tournament’s Unique Appeal
During his conversation with Johnson, Horschel highlighted how shifting the Open Championship to countries like Australia or New Zealand could diminish the event’s distinctive elements. For instance, holding the tournament during their winter months would disrupt traditions such as all players teeing off from the same spot over an extended period, which is central to the Open’s identity.
Horschel explained that the British Isles’ geography and weather patterns contribute significantly to the Open Championship’s character, adding a historical and cultural layer that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere. He advocated for honoring the traditions and parameters that have made the tournament successful and meaningful over the years.
Reflecting on recent developments, Horschel referenced Portmarnock hosting the Amateur Championship in 2019 as a positive step toward including Ireland in the tournament‘s landscape. He suggested there might be room to expand within the British Isles by featuring courses like Royal County Down, but he insisted that expanding beyond nearby islands would risk losing the event’s cherished charm.
“We could maybe go to Royal County Down. Why not go somewhere in Ireland? Let’s just stay in the British Isles, OK? Let’s not go to any other land masses, because you’d lose a lot of the charm that is the Open Championship.”
—Billy Horschel, PGA Tour Veteran
Future Tournaments in the Established Open Rotation
The Open Championship’s schedule for the coming years remains firmly rooted in the United Kingdom. The 2025 Open will take place at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, followed by Royal Birkdale in England in 2026. In 2027, the storied Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland will host the championship once again, reaffirming the tournament‘s strong connection to traditional British venues.
Given these firm plans, the debate over relocating the British Open continues to generate passionate discussion but no imminent changes. The opinions of players like Billy Horschel underline a widely held view that the identity and heritage of the Open are closely tied to its UK locations, and altering that could undermine what makes the tournament special.
As the PGA Tour British Open Location Debate unfolds, respect for tradition seems to remain a guiding principle among leading figures in the sport, suggesting the British Open will likely stay firmly anchored on UK soil for the foreseeable future.
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