The Open: Organisers Blame Heatwave for Poor Muirfield Attendances

R&A, the organisers of The Open Championship, have suggested the current heatwave may have played a factor in the poor attendances at the event and dismissed reports ticket prices contributed to the visible decrease.

The R&A was expecting 160,000 fans and hoping for 170,000, but a total of 142,036 made the trip to East Lothian during the week, with 29,247 there to watch Phil Mickelson triumph on Sunday.

A total of 160,595 spectators were at Muirfield the last time the Open was staged at the course in 2002, with 31,422 seeing Ernie Els emerge victorious on the final day.

A spokesman for the Open Championship said: “More than 142,000 people attended the Open. That is almost 90 per cent of the figure in 2002 and we are pleased with this attendance.

“Advance ticket sales were very strong and we believe the extremely warm weather put off some of our pay-at-the-gate customers.

“That is perhaps why, unusually, we had a higher attendance on Sunday in cooler weather than we did on Friday which is normally the busiest day. The blend of a British winner of the Tour de France and Ashes cricket on television over the last few days may also have had an impact.”

Ticket prices of £75 have been blamed for the drop in attendance at Muirfield, although more than 180,000 fans made the trip to Lytham for last year’s Open when tickets cost £70.

“The Open Championship offers exceptional value to spectators who can enjoy up to 15 hours of golf in one day. Children under 16 accompanied by an adult get in free which makes it ideal for families,” spokesman Mike Woodcock said. “Nearly 30,000 people attended yesterday and the feedback suggests they enjoyed a first class experience.”