Open Championship Eyeing 30,000 Spectators Per Day at Royal St George’s

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Shane Lowry
Shane Lowry breaks through the huge crowds on the 18th hole and celebrates with his caddie Brian Martin en route to victory at the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 21, 2019 in Portrush, UK. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

The Open Championship is hoping to have 30,000 spectators roaming the grounds of historic Royal St George’s this July for its 149th edition.

Martin Slumbers, the R&A’s Chief Executive, was “optimistic” about the number of fans but did guarantee one thing: there will be a championship this year.

“The one thing I am clear about is we will play The Open at St George’s,” said Martin Slumbers.

Located in Kent, Royal St George’s is reportedly able to handle 40,000 fans per day, and Slumbers believes the R&A can safely operate at 75 percent capacity for the oldest golf major.

“We are optimistic for a significant attendance of up to 75% of capacity, continued Slumbers.

“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 to understand what we can do and what we can’t do.

“There are multiple plans and multiple options.”

Slumbers did confirm that it will not look like the recently completed PGA at Kiawah where the mask-less and raucous crowds presented a visual of normalcy and badly damaged the political left’s COVID narrative.

“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,” said Slumbers.

Shane Lowry will defend his 2019 title as The Open was the only major golf championship cancelled in 2020 due to COVID.

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