Inside the 3 Signature Holes of Turnberry's Ailsa Course

The 2026 Bridges Cup begins Monday at Trump Turnberry's Ailsa Course in South Ayrshire, Scotland, pitting a team of top U.S. mid-amateurs against an international squad in partner and singles match play. The format echoes other amateur team competitions such as the Walker Cup, and the Ailsa Course itself carries nearly a century of championship history, including two Open Championships decided on its closing hole.

What makes the 9th hole at Turnberry famous?

The par-3 9th is one of the Ailsa Course's newest holes despite the course's age. Architect Martin Ebert created it during a 2016 renovation, converting a former par 4 into a one-shotter that plays across a rocky inlet toward the Turnberry lighthouse, with bunkers and the Firth of Clyde guarding the left side of the green.

Why does the 10th hole create risk-reward decisions?

The par-5 10th can be reachable in two shots depending on wind direction, but a bunker nicknamed the "donut bunker" guards the layup area, with a cliff dropping away on the left side of the hole. Finding the bunker leaves an awkward approach of roughly 85 yards to the green.

What happened on the 18th hole in past Open Championships?

The 18th carries the name "Duel in the Sun," for the 1977 Open Championship finish in which Tom Watson birdied the hole to edge Jack Nicklaus by a single shot. The hole produced more Open drama in 2009, when a 59-year-old Watson needed only a par to win a sixth Claret Jug. His approach ran through the green, leading to a bogey that dropped him into a four-hole playoff, which Stewart Cink won.

The Bridges Cup matches begin Monday with partner formats, leading into singles play later in the week.