Fans have been warned to be on their best behaviour at this week’s Open Championship.
Around 300,000 spectators are expected at Royal Birkdale Golf Club throughout the course of the week with the action getting underway on Thursday.
However, new measures have been put in place to improve the behaviour of patrons following a recent spate of incidents involving golf fans.
Tournament organisers, in conjunction with the R&A, will implement a new spectator code of conduct called ‘The Open Commitment’ aimed at reviving the original spirit of the game.
Golf crowds have become increasingly rowdy across the globe and particularly in the United States in recent years, causing huge distraction and drawing the attention away from the players.
Team Europe were subjected to a torrent of hostility and sometimes abuse at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black last September.
More recently, Wyndham Clark was berated by fans during his U.S Open victory at Shinnecock Hills.
What new rules have been put in place?
Ahead of this week’s Open Championship, which is usually less rowdy than the golf events across the pond, organisers have drawn up the policy that includes five principles.
It states that fans are not to ‘call out players inappropriately during play’ and to ‘celebrate great play in a fair and sporting manner’.
The policy also says that fans ‘should help to create a welcoming, inclusive and respectful environment’.
In a bid to curb rowdy behaviour, the decision has been made to ban alcohol consumption in the grandstands.
Fans have also been advised not to record videos on their phones at any time, although phones have not been banned from the course like the Masters.
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“The Open Commitment isn’t about changing what makes The Open so special, it is about maintaining its long-standing traditions,” R&A CEO Mark Darbon said in a statement.
“By following a few simple principles, everyone can help ensure The Open remains a welcoming, respectful and unforgettable experience for all.”
Fans have been warned that repeated breaches of the policy ‘will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the championship grounds without refund’.
American Scottie Scheffler reigned supreme at last year’s Open Championship but begins his title defence having missed his first cut in almost four years at last week’s Scottish Open.
The world number one, who won by four strokes at Royal Portrush last year, is hoping an unexpected extra few days off will help him ahead of the final major of the season.
Gunning for glory… again
“You never want to have a weekend off but, going into a tournament when you’re defending, there’s always a bit more stuff to do so it wasn’t the worst thing in the world – albeit it was quite frustrating,” Scheffler said.
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“I got down here a bit earlier, played 18 on Sunday and played nine holes yesterday and today, so I’m getting used to the golf course – and getting some extra rest in a week where there’s some more demands on your time.
“I feel like I’m at a point in the season where we’ve played a lot of golf and I’ve played a lot of high-level golf for a few years now.
“I think just towards the end of the season, you get a little tired. I got a couple of days off, reset the mind, reset the body and just kind of got back to feeling even and at peace.
“Going into this tournament, I feel like I know what my ‘Why’ is — why I’m out here playing — and I’m excited to try and defend my title this week.”
