Royal Lytham to host 2028 Open

The main change centred around remodelling the par-five 11th - turning it from a dog-leg to a 601-yard straight hole by removing numerous bushes - to allow for the construction of a new practice area.

There have also been improvements to the course's internal road system to provide better access and for routine maintenance.

The changes will be in the spotlight when the course hosts the AIG Women's Open from 29 July to 2 August.

The Open first went to Lytham in 1926, with legendary American amateur Bobby Jones, who would go on to help design Augusta National and co-found the Masters, winning the first of three Claret Jugs.

Spanish great Seve Ballesteros claimed two of his three Open wins in Lytham, in 1979 and 1988.

Why not Turnberry or Muirfield?

Turnberry, which hosted the most recent of its four Opens in 2009, has significant logistical issues, despite its Ailsa Course being recognised as one of the world's finest layouts.

Darbon said last year that he "would love" to return to the Ayrshire course on the west coast of Scotland and that a feasibility study had been commissioned.

It appeared to be a softening of the R&A's stance given Darbon's predecessor, Martin Slumbers, strongly suggested in 2021 that the course would not be restored to the Open rota while Trump was associated with the venue, expressing concerns that the focus would be on issues off the course.

Trump bought the resort in 2014 and has spent £200m on improvements.

BBC Sport was told last year that the UK government had asked the R&A about its position.

Darbon has said the main issue is not who owns Turnberry but whether the venue and town are equipped to cope with the number of people attending the tournament.

He pointed out that the total attendance at Turnberry 17 years ago was 120,000, while Royal Portrush, last year's Open hosts, coped with 280,000 spectators.

Muirfield, 18 miles to the east of Edinburgh, is one of Scotland's most historic courses and has hosted The Open 16 times, although not since 2013.

Two logistical issues are hampering the course now.

Darbon has pointed to infrastructure challenges around practice facilities, while the long-term staging of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club - next door to Muirfield - creates further complications.

Last week the Scottish Open signed a deal to stay at the Renaissance until 2030, with the tournament played in the week before The Open to allow players time to adapt to the unique challenges presented by seaside links courses.