Rory McIlroy has voiced support for bringing the Open Championship back to Muirfield, the historic Scottish course that was dropped from the rotation a decade ago over its exclusionary membership policies. The world number two argues that the club has addressed those issues and deserves to rejoin the rota. His comments came during the Dubai Desert Classic, where he reflected on his own challenging history at the venue.
Muirfield, home to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and designed by Old Tom Morris, has hosted 16 Open Championships, with the most recent in 2013 won by Phil Mickelson. That year marked a low point for McIlroy, who missed the cut with rounds of 79 and 75, finishing 12 over par. He later described it as potentially "my lowest point in my professional career," though he noted it feels like a lifetime ago, especially after winning the Open since then.
In 2016, following a member vote to continue barring women, the R&A removed Muirfield from the Open rota, stating that the championship would not be staged at venues excluding women members. McIlroy supported the decision at the time, calling the policy "obscene" and "ridiculous" in 2017. The club reversed course that year, admitting its first women members in 2019, and was awarded the 2022 Women's Open.
Speaking after a third-round 71 at the DP World Tour's Dubai Desert Classic on January 24, 2026, McIlroy told Golf Digest that Muirfield has "rectified the issues that they had." He praised it as a "wonderful golf course" and "one of the best courses on the rota and in the UK," emphasizing commercial viability around North Berwick. "Muirfield deserves to be back on the Open rota," he said. "It would be wonderful if it was."
The R&A has not announced venues beyond Royal Birkdale in 2026 and St Andrews in 2027, leaving 2028 as the next potential slot. However, logistical challenges include the nearby Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club and the desire to space out events in the region. McIlroy acknowledged he is not privy to the R&A's discussions but highlighted the role of chief executive Mark Darbon in enhancing the event's commercial appeal.
At the Dubai event, McIlroy sat at three under par, trailing leader Patrick Reed by 11 shots after Reed's 67 put him at 14 under.
