“Feels like COVID again” – Golf fans rip small US Open crowds

Wondering where all the fans are at this week’s US Open? You’re not alone.

Social media has been abuzz for a large part of the opening two rounds with chatter about the seemingly poor turnout at the Los Angeles Country Club.

According to several people who are there, the mood on the ground is unusually subdued for a major championship.

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Part of that can be attributed to the USGA’s decision to cut the number of tickets available this year due to logistical issues with the host course. The daily allocation has been cut from the normal 45,000 to just 22,000.

Those watching along at home are less than impressed by the atmosphere coming through their televisions…

The lack of fans sucks at this US Open. Feels like Covid again

— Kenny (@kjay73) June 16, 2023

This has to be the lamest US Open ever. Where are the fans??? LA is a bad sports town!

— M Honcho 🇺🇸 (@Chefboi650) June 16, 2023

The fans at LACC know this is the actual US Open, right?

Zero life to the event because of the lack of energy, enthusiasm and investment from the gallery.

— Frank Gallo (@fgallo11) June 16, 2023

I just don’t understand this Us Open. Koepka, McIlroy, and Matsuyama teeing off on Day 2, and I’ve seen bigger crowds at the 18th green of the local muni 4-ball tournament.

— Buck (@midtownbuck) June 16, 2023

Maybe the worst US Open crowds you’ll ever see. Holy shit. Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/fpTIiu7dkk

— BeatinTheBookie.com®️ (@BeatinTheBookie) June 15, 2023

Are there any spectators at the US Open??

— Steve Johnston Golf, EUREKA GOLF SWING↗️➡️↘️ (@sjohnstonpga) June 16, 2023

Does anyone in LA give a shit about this US Open?? There's hardly any spectators there. So weird

— Big Drive Energy (@BigDriveEnergy) June 16, 2023

There are very few spectators out there at the US Open. Maybe it's just early? Looks desolate

— Jed DeMuesy (@JedDeMuesy) June 15, 2023

With the cap on attendance, the USGA is understood to have estimated that the championship will welcome only 154,000 spectators across the week.

That’s a little over half of the 290,000 attendance chalked up by The 150th Open at St Andrews 11 months ago.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor