‘No plans’ to bring Open Championship to Wales

THE organisers of one of golf’s most iconic events say they have no plans to add any courses to the Open Championship rota, despite interest from the Welsh Government.

As reported in yesterday’s Western Mail, after Cardiff hosted the 2017 Champions League final on Saturday, Welsh Government Economy Minister Ken Skates said the British Open and cycling’s Tour de France were the next major sporting events Wales wanted to attract.

Mr Skates said: “I think there is great potential to host new major events that have not yet been to Wales. We have had productive conversations with the organisations behind these events.”

Royal Porthcawl would be the most likely venue for the British Open as it prepares to host the Senior Open for the second time in the past four years.

The British Open is one of the four major annual tournaments in the world golfing calendar.

Organised by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) since 1894, it has been played in Scotland 62 times, in England 49 times and in Northern Ireland once – but has never been played in Wales.

However, in July 2015 the R&A said it did not have “any intention” to take the Open to Porthcawl.

And in wake of this week’s reports of Welsh Government talks, a spokesman said told Press Association Sport: “We are happy with the 10 courses on the rota and have no plans to make any changes.”