Donald Trump's Scottish course 'proved itself' as DP World Tour venue

Donald Trump’s Aberdeenshire course “proved itself” as a top-class tournament venue when it hosted a DP World Tour event for the first time last year.

Trump International Golf Links on the Menie Estate at Balmedie staged the Nexo Championship, won by Scotland’s Grant Forrest by four shots with an eight-under-par total, in August.

Grant Forrest plays the par-5 18th at Trump International Golf Links en route to winning the Nexo Championship last August | Ross Parker/Getty Images

It was the second leg of a double-header after the Staysure Senior PGA Championship, one of the biggest events on the Legends Tour, was staged on the same course the previous week, when American Bo Van Pelt landed the title.

Though nothing has yet been confirmed for next year, a slot has been left open on the 2026 DP World Tour schedule towards the end of August and it is believed that it will be an event at Trump International Golf Links.

“We loved that event,” said Guy Kinnings, the European Tour Group’s chief executive officer, of the Nexo Championship, which was staged on the Old Course at the venue owned by the US President.

DP World Tour players ‘loved’ the Old Course

“It was a great fortnight that worked really well and our hope will be that it happens again in 2026. Bottom line is that it is a great venue. It hosted two events really well. The players loved the Old Course and enjoyed that.”

Due to the stunning dunes, it proved a bit awkward for fans who attended the Nexo Championship to move around the course, raising questions about whether or not it could host an event like the Genesis Scottish Open or even a Ryder Cup going forward.

Nexo Championship winner Grant Forrest pictured with Sarah Malone, executive vice president of Trump International | Ross Parker/Getty Images

“Well, all I know is that the original course has proved itself to be a great tournament venue and it worked really well for those two tournaments,” added Kinnings when asked about what it could possibly host in the future.

“They are great hosts and Sarah Malone, the executive vice president of Trump International Scotland, and her team will do everything they can to make the venue work for whatever the tournament needs are. When you’ve got people who want to deliver things as well as they do and with the quality they do, you can do lots.”