The R&A has issued a stern warning to golf fans attending The Open, stating that anyone who abuses players will be identified and ejected under a new code of conduct. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over fan behavior, particularly from gamblers and newcomers to the sport.
New Code of Conduct Enforced at Royal Birkdale
Mark Darbon, chairman of the R&A, confirmed that a dedicated team of R&A staff, marshals, and officials will closely monitor the expected 300,000 spectators at Royal Birkdale to ensure compliance with the code. Those who step out of line will be asked to leave the venue. Darbon stopped short of endorsing calls by Sir Nick Faldo, the last Englishman to win The Open, for a $10,000 fine for offenders, stating that ejection is the preferred mechanism.
“Those people are briefed on keeping an eye on this behaviour in line with our code of conduct, so we’re very confident in our ability to identify any folks that step over the line,” Darbon said. “We feel that it’s within our gift, if someone does step over the line, to ask them to leave the venue. That’s the mechanism that we’ll use rather than fining a spectator.”
Growing Concerns Over Fan Misbehavior
The new guidelines follow incidents at recent Opens. Last year’s winner, Scottie Scheffler, reported hearing things “that were very far over the line” during his final round at Portrush. Brian Harmon, the 2024 champion, was also jeered during his victory. Such behavior is largely attributed to gamblers frustrated by lost bets and newcomers to the sport via TikTok or YouTube who are unfamiliar with golf’s traditions.
Darbon emphasized the R&A’s commitment to balancing tradition with attracting new audiences. “I certainly don’t think we’re a passive organisation,” he said. “So we are proactively focused on how we grow our audience for this great championship.” He noted that the R&A chose to stage a Last-Chance Qualifier aligned with the event’s roots rather than a creator classic, underscoring their dedication to heritage.
Sunday Tee Times and World Cup Final
Regarding Sunday’s round, which coincides with the World Cup final, Darbon said the R&A is unlikely to change tee-off times but will make a final decision on Thursday. “In the background, we’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this. Our final putt is currently scheduled for around 6.40 on Sunday. We think that, even if we go to a three-hole playoff, we’ve got time to complete the championship,” he added.
