The ancient links, which is the home of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, was briefly removed from the R&A’s consideration when the club voted against admitting women members in 2016. A year later, following a public backlash that included Rory McIlroy calling the existing membership “dinosaurs”, the decision was reversed. Muirfield was placed back on the rota and, although it went on to host the Women’s Open in 2022, the men’s version is yet to return.
Only St Andrews and Prestwick have held golf’s oldest major more times than Muirfield, and it looks like the club is going to have to wait a bit longer for a 17th go at it.
That’s because The Renaissance Club has renewed its deal and will host the Genesis Scottish Open until 2030. And given the proximity of the two courses, holding the two events in back to back weeks would be a logistical nightmare for everyone involved.
TG has reached out to Muirfield for comment.
The Scottish Open, under its various sponsorship appellations, has been held at Renaissance since 2019 and in that time has become a co-sanctioned event between the European and PGA Tours. That’s meant stronger fields as Americans look to hone their links game before taking on the Claret Jug – and that’s reflected in its roll call of champions, which includes McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Robert MacIntyre and Chris Gotterup, who will defend his title in July.
Rory Colville, the tournament’s championship director, said in a statement: “The Renaissance Club has been a fantastic host venue for the Genesis Scottish Open over the past eight years and we are delighted to be able to call it our home through to 2030.
“The venue has grown and developed with the event in that time, and John and Jerry Sarvadi and their team have really been committed to providing a world-class experience for everyone on site – with the latest changes to the championship course routing just the latest part of that evolution.”
That re-routing he mentions is to ensure a more exciting finish to the tournament, with the “stadium” par-3 6th hole now being played as the 15th.
The 2026 Genesis Scottish Open will take place from July 9-12.