Carnoustie will host the 2029 Open, the R&A confirms Monday

Carnoustie will host The Open in 2029, the R&A announced Monday, returning the men's major to the Angus links for the ninth time and its first visit since Francesco Molinari won in 2018.

The 157th Open's championship week runs July 15-22, 2029. It comes after St Andrews in 2027 and Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2028. Golf writer David Rumsey notes that the Lytham Open is set for Aug. 3-6 to make room for Olympic golf in Los Angeles, so Carnoustie puts the championship back in its usual mid-July slot.

Money helped. The Courier reports that Carnoustie's private operators spent more than £10 million during the first year of their operating deal. Work included irrigation upgrades and refurbishment at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel.

The newspaper also reports that Carnoustie Golf Heritage and Hospitality Group acquired and refurbished Simpson's golf shop and two local hospitality venues. A 25-bedroom hotel extension is still in the planning stage.

R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said the governing body had worked with Carnoustie to ensure its venue improvements support future Opens. Carnoustie chief operating officer Ross Blackadder said investment in the course and facilities reflects an ambition to secure the championship regularly.

Monday's decision also extends Portmarnock's wait. RTÉ reports that the Irish club's attempt to host The Open now reaches into at least the next decade. Darbon said in July that feasibility work showed the championship could go there, but Portmarnock still has no confirmed date.

The last Open at Carnoustie gave Molinari his first major. Paired with Tiger Woods on Sunday, he shot 69 to finish eight under at 276 and win by two, without a bogey all weekend. Woods, using a mallet putter that week, tied for sixth, three shots back.

Sim golfers who want a look at the course before 2029 can start with the R&A's 2018 final-round coverage of Molinari and Woods on its YouTube channel. Next up to watch: the R&A's ticket and hospitality details, which have not been announced.