The R&A has announced that The 157th Open will be played at Carnoustie from 15-22 July 2029. (Photo: R&A)
The R&A confirmed The 157th Open will be played at Carnoustie from July 15-22, 2029, which means Portmarnock’s hopes of hosting the oldest Major in golf will have to wait.
The Open will return to Carnoustie for the ninth time and the first since Francesco Molinari’s memorable victory in 2018. It was also the venue for Pádraig Harrington’s Major breakthrough when he denied Sergio Garcia in a play-off to get his hands on the famous Claret Jug.
Harrington and Molinari join an illustrious roll of Champion Golfers to have lifted the Claret Jug at the Angus links alongside Tommy Armour, Sir Henry Cotton, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Paul Lawrie.
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “Carnoustie is a world-class championship venue where some of golf’s greatest players have lifted the Claret Jug and the return of The Open to these famous links after more than a decade will give fans the opportunity to be part of another memorable chapter in the Championship’s history.
“We want to continue to deliver an outstanding experience for players, fans and our partners at one of the world’s great sporting events and so have worked closely in collaboration with Carnoustie to help ensure their plans to enhance the venue also support successful stagings of The Open in the years ahead.
“We are grateful to Carnoustie’s ownership and management, the Scottish Government and local authorities for their support in bringing The Open back to Angus and look forward to another memorable Championship in 2029.”
The staging of The 157th Open at Carnoustie continues The R&A’s partnership with the Scottish Government and VisitScotland where their investment in the Championship will drive tourism and showcase Scotland as a world-class stage for major events, as well as delivering significant economic and social benefits to the country and host region.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said: "The return of The Open to Carnoustie Golf Links in 2029 is tremendous news for Scotland. As the home of golf, we have a unique connection to this historic championship and are proud to welcome it back to one of the sport's most renowned venues.
"The Open generates significant benefits for our economy, supports jobs and tourism and shines a global spotlight on Scotland's people, places and outstanding golf offering. I congratulate everyone involved in bringing the championship back to Carnoustie and look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to Angus in 2029."
Ross Blackadder, Chief Operating Officer at Carnoustie Golf Links, said: “I speak on behalf of everyone associated with Carnoustie Golf Links when I say we are beyond proud that this famous venue has been selected to host The 157th Open. This is one of the greatest honours in golf and reflects the standing of Carnoustie as a world-class championship venue.
“The Open has been part of Carnoustie’s story for almost a century, and the opportunity to welcome the world’s best players back to Angus is hugely exciting. We are already focused on delivering an outstanding Championship experience for competitors, spectators and the wider golfing community.
The R&A has been working with renowned Dublin venue Portmarnock, carrying out feasibility studies with a view to taking The Open there.
Earlier this year, Darbon was optimistic Portmarnock could stage The Open. "I think we're getting pretty close," he said.
"It's a complicated venue because of the scale of The Open Championship so there's been a lot of great feasibility work with the golf club themselves, with the local authority, with government. We've undertaken a big feasibility study.
"That work is pretty much done. We've confirmed that we believe we can take an Open Championship there."
The island of Ireland has hosted The Open three times, at Royal Portrush on all three occasions when Max Faulkner won in 1951, Shane Lowry in 2019 and world number one Scottie Scheffler in 2025.
(L-R): Council Leader George Meechan, Angus Council; Ross Blackadder, Chief Operating Officer, Carnoustie Golf Links; First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney MSP; Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A; Vicki Miller, Chief Executive, VisitScotland; and Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Chief Championships Officer at The R&A announce that The 157th Open will be played at Carnoustie from 15-22 July 2029.