The R&A "Optimistic" 30,000 Spectators Can Attend The Open
Royal St George's looks set to welcome 30,000 fans a day for The Open in July, at 75% capacity.
Royal St George's looks set to welcome 30,000 fans a day for The Open in July, at 75% capacity.
The R&A "Optimistic" 30,000 Spectators Can Attend The Open
The R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers has offered an update on spectators attending The Open at Royal St George's in July.
Royal St George's in Kent has the capacity to host 40,000 fans a day, but Slumbers has suggested that operating with a 75 per cent capacity is possible for the British Major.
"The one thing I am clear about is we will play The Open at St George's," said Martin Slumbers.
"Uncertainty is about what the environment we will operate in will be.
"We are optimistic for a significant attendance of up to 75% of capacity.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"While we would really like to provide certainty to everybody on how The Open will work, inevitably there remains great uncertainty.
"We've been working very closely with the UK government and Public Health [England] to understand what we can do and what we can't do.
"There are multiple plans and multiple options."
Slumbers confirmed that The R&A is working with different plans in mind for spectators due to the potential for government guidelines change, though he is confident that fans will be allowed into Royal St George's in some capacity.
He also stated: "The players will be in a bubble with officials and the championship staff and they will be kept separate and away from whatever crowds we're allowed to have."
The Open was the only men's Major cancelled last year due to the pandemic, meaning Royal St George's has had to wait an extra year to host its 14th Open Championship, the 149th iteration of the tournament.
Shane Lowry is the defending champion of The Open, having won his maiden Major at Royal Portrush in 2019.
He enters the 2021 tournament in competitive form after finishing T4 at the PGA Championship, though he hasn't won an event since his victory in the Major two years ago.
Ryan has worked as a junior staff writer for Golf Monthly since 2021.
-
Rio Takeda Continues Incredible Run Of Form With Lengthy Playoff Win In Home Open
Takeda added to her incredible run of form in 2024, as the Japanese star secured the TOTO Japan Classic title in a six hole playoff against Marina Alex
By Matt Cradock Published
-
What’s The Best College Golf Team Of All Time?
There have been some standout college teams through the years, but which was the best?
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Gym Routine... Revealed!
In this Rory McIlroy Gym Routine article we discover how the Northern Irishman keeps himself so fit
By Neil Tappin Published
-
What Is Tiger Woods' Net Worth?
Tiger Woods became the first billion dollar athlete in 2009
By Elliott Heath Last updated
-
The Masters Live Stream: How To Watch The Major
Here are all the details on how you can watch the Major wherever you are in the world.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Five Outsiders Who Could Win The Masters
We consider five players who might surprise the favourites and claim victory at Augusta
By Fergus Bisset Published
-
Who Is Tiger Woods’ Girlfriend?
Find out more on who the American professional golfer is going out with here.
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
Bermuda Championship Golf Betting Tips 2021
Who is the GM Tipster backing to win this week in Bermuda?
By Jeremy Chapman Published
-
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Fredrik Andersson Hed Passes Away Following Battle With Cancer
Fredrik Andersson Hed Passes Away Following Battle With Cancer
By Matt Cradock Published