Sign up for our daily newsletter
Latest news, reviews, analysis and opinion, plus unmissable deals for bunkered subscriptions, events, and our commercial partners.
A record crowd of 237,750 will attend this week’s Open at Royal Portrush, the R&A has confirmed.
The 148th edition of the championship will set a new attendance record for a championship staged outside of St Andrews, eclipsing the 235,000 who attended Royal Birkdale in 2017.
It is also the second-best attended Open of all-time behind the 2000 championship at the Old Course.
A record-breaking 61,000 fans have attended practice days this week Open, surpassing the previous high of 52,000 set at Hoylake in 2006.
• Justin Rose hits out over major changes
• Tiger reveals how Brooks blanked him
Martin Slumbers, the R&A chief executive, said, “This is a huge week not just for The Open but for golf as well. We are making history with a record attendance for a Championship staged outside of St Andrews and the levels of excitement among fans this week have been phenomenal.
“I said last year that big time sport needs big time crowds and we certainly have that at Royal Portrush as we stage the biggest sporting event ever to be held in Northern Ireland. The eyes of the sporting world are firmly set on Royal Portrush.
• Francesco Molinari reveals ‘tiger’ tattoo
“We would like to thank all the fans for their passion and enthusiasm as we look forward to finding out who will lift the Claret Jug on Sunday. The Open would not be the success it is without the spectators.”
• TV GUIDE – When and where to watch The Open
Overall, 30,000 fans under the age of 25 are attending The Open, which includes 21,000 children under the age of 16 who attend free of charge thanks to the long-running Kids Go Free initiative.
The Open Camping Village continues to prove a popular accommodation option for fans with more than 6,300 fans booking a place to stay at on site this year, up from the 4,000 spectators who stayed at Carnoustie in 2018.
• The Open 2019: Round 1 Tee Times
A third of those fans staying at the campsite are under 25 years old meaning that The R&A has now provided over 8,000 free bed spaces for under 25s over the first four years of The Open Camping Village.
ALL ABOUT THE MASTERS
More Reads
The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland
Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.
Find Courses