Open fans told ‘abuse the players and you’ll be slung out’ as R&A gets tough

Staff told to eject hecklers among expected 300,000 fans Officials reject Faldo’s calls to fine miscreants $10,000 The R&A has warned golf fans who misbehave at the Open that they will be identified and slung out under its new code of conduct. Its chairman, Mark Darbon, stopped short of endorsing calls by Sir Nick Faldo, the last Englishman to win an Open, for anyone that abuses a player to also be fined $10,000. However, he confirmed that a team of R&A staff, marshals and officials would be closely monitoring the expected 300,000 spectators at Royal Birkdale to ensure good behaviour. Continue reading...

Sean Ingle at Royal Birkdale · Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 5:40 AM
US news | The Guardian

Open fans told ‘abuse the players and you’ll be slung out’ as R&A gets tough

Staff told to eject hecklers among expected 300,000 fans
Officials reject Faldo’s calls to fine miscreants $10,000

The R&A has warned golf fans who misbehave at the Open that they will be identified and slung out under its new code of conduct.

Its chairman, Mark Darbon, stopped short of endorsing calls by Sir Nick Faldo, the last Englishman to win an Open, for anyone that abuses a player to also be fined $10,000. However, he confirmed that a team of R&A staff, marshals and officials would be closely monitoring the expected 300,000 spectators at Royal Birkdale to ensure good behaviour.

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