The DP World Tour’s inaugural Nexo Championship was set to tee off at Donald Trump’s golf course, the Trump International Golf Links, in Aberdeenshire from August 7 to 10, until a huge storm forced an abrupt setback during its preparation phase.
On the first official practice day, violent winds gusting to 60mph forced organizers to shut down the course and everyone’s access to practice facilities by mid-afternoon, casting uncertainty over the $2.75 million competition just days before it begins.
By 14:00 local time, officials had fully evacuated the grounds, with Jonas Hedberg, the resort’s director of golf, confirming, “There is nobody on the course.”
The severe weather rendered the links unplayable and completely stalled preparation. Competitors and staff alike were grounded amidst the chaos and had no option but to retreat from the greens.
Weather wrecks plans and brutal tournament promised
Veteran Scottish players David Law and Richie Ramsay highlighted how the storm disrupted routine preparation. Law recounted that even his brief visit to collect yardage books yielded no real practice time.
Ramsay added, “We are off-site now as the winds are so high and they had to shut everything down. That puts paid to any practice.” Their remarks underscore the immediate frustration players felt as ideal conditions for practice vanished.
While Storm Floris brought the shutdown, forecasts indicate the winds will remain strong until at least early Tuesday morning, continuing to batter the region with gusting force. Moderate breezes are expected to persist throughout the week, ensuring consistent difficulty on the course.
Tournament weather outlooks reveal formidable challenges: wind speeds of 35 mph with gusts near 33 mph and cloudy conditions will dominate the opening day, making scoring difficult. By Day Two, wind gusts may reach 44 mph amid heavy cloud cover, while rain chances remain modest.
The resulting environment is far from a typical scoring week. One player predicted it would likely yield higher-than-expected scores given the conditions and tee box options available.
Aberdeenshire’s rugged links terrain – characterized by fescue-lined fairways, thick rough, and exposed greens – will amplify the severity of the weather. The wind may force players to rely on low, controlled shot shapes, leaving little margin for error. High winds and shifting damp air could dramatically alter ball flight and ground roll.
Despite the storm’s disruption, officials assure that competitors still have two full days of practice before the tournament proper begins. That window may prove critical: players must refocus quickly to reconnoiter the course and fine-tune strategy under increasingly challenging winds.
More adverse weather on the way
Storm conditions during the first practice day offer only a preview of what’s ahead. While competitors adapt to the interruption and tackle practice in the final days, the upcoming rounds won’t provide any respite. Restorative weather patterns may not arrive by Thursday, ensuring chalky links surfaces remain relentlessly windy.
This disruption also sheds light on the relationship between Donald Trump and the event: his Aberdeenshire course has become central to the DP World Tour’s expansion in Scotland, representing both a growing business venture and a symbolic nod to golf history in the region.
Public funding from the Scottish Government-intended to support Scottish tourism – further complicates the optics, especially as opposition groups decry political motives tied to Trump’s ownership.
Yet for the players, the coming week is less about politics and more about survival. The $2.75 million purse remains intact, and tournament organizers appear determined to proceed.
But as the storm subsides and competition begins, the winners here may not necessarily be those with the sharpest swings – but those who navigate wind and weather with patience, ground control, and calm under pressure.
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