Royal Gold Open

Description

The Royal Gold Open takes place at Murcar Links Golf Club in Aberdeen, United Kingdom, on July 5, 2026. This open individual competition uses Stableford scoring, offering players the opportunity to compete on one of Scotland's renowned links courses.

Murcar Links Golf Club

Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom

Murcar Links Golf Club is a classic traditional links course founded in 1909, located on the northeast coast of Scotland near Aberdeen. The championship course features a par of 71 with a standard scratch rating of 73, stretching 6,462 yards from the back tees. Designed by Archie Simpson with refinements by celebrated architect James Braid in the 1930s, the course maintains its historic layout today. Set on rugged coastal terrain, Murcar Links offers panoramic views across the North Sea with elevated tees, gorse, and wide vistas. The course presents a challenging but playable test of links golf, ranked No. 30 in Scotland's Top 100 courses (2025) and No. 85 in Golf World's Best Links in Great Britain and Ireland. The club also operates the nine-hole Strabathie course, designed by Braid, which provides a more forgiving alternative while featuring the Strabathie burn as a key hazard on five holes. Murcar has hosted significant tournaments including the 2024 R&A Men's & Women's Home Internationals and the 2016 Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play. Recent improvements include a state-of-the-art irrigation system and comprehensive practice facilities.