This week’s 148th Open at Royal Portrush is officially the most attended Championship staged outside St Andrews with the R&A announcing on Wednesday that there will be a record-breaking crowd of 237,750 for the tournament starting on Thursday. “This is a huge week not just for The Open but for golf as well,” Slumbers said. “We are making history with a record attendance for a Championship staged outside of St Andrews and the levels of excitement among fans this week have been phenomenal. “I said last year that big-time sport needs big-time crowds and we certainly have that at Royal Portrush as we stage the biggest sporting event ever to be held in Northern Ireland. Tournament favourite and Royal Portrush course-record holder Rory McIlroy tees off at 10:09 alongside US Open champion Gary Woodland and England’s Paul Casey with Masters champion Tiger Woods among the afternoon starters at 3:10pm.

Source: Irish Examiner July 17, 2019 11:15 UTC