With fan behavior becoming a regular topic at major tournaments, a warning shot was fired by the R&A before next week’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England.
With organizers expecting crowds to exceed 300,000, the R&A issued a reminder of guidelines centered around being “welcoming, inclusive” to reflect a “memorable environment” for the final major on the PGA Tour schedule.
“The atmosphere at the Open is unlike any other major sporting event and one of the things that makes it so unique. It is built on a shared respect for the players, the course, fellow fans and the traditions of the Championship,” said R&A CEO Mark Darbon.
“Every year, our fans play a huge part in creating that experience. The Open Commitment isn’t about changing what makes the Open so special, it is about maintaining its long-standing traditions. By following a few simple principles, everyone can help ensure the Open remains a welcoming, respectful and unforgettable experience for all.”
In 2023 at Royal Liverpool, champion Brian Harman endured fan behavior bordering on unruly and no doubt more boisterous than the R&A would prefer. At the 2026 U.S. Open last month, multiple patrons were escorted out of Shinnecock Hills in Long Island, N.Y., for crossing the line with jeers after some of champion Wyndham Clark’s shots.
Clark said in his post-trophy press conference the fan behavior was impossible to deflect.
“Man, they definitely didn’t want me to win. It’s pretty rare in an Open Championship or a major to have fans kind of boo against your shots or cheer for bad shots,” he said following the U.S. Open.
“Yeah, it was tough. But I’m proud of myself that I battled through. I mean, things really could have gotten away from me. I stood tough. Yeah, I would have liked to have won by more, but as long as you win, it doesn’t matter.”
This week at the Scottish Open, American Chris Gotterup begins play Thursday with home country favorite Robert McIntyre and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. He’s well familiar with the vocal crowd support McIlroy receives at The Renaissance Club. Gotterup outlasted McIlroy to win the tournament in 2025, all while embracing the villain role with what he felt were good-natured fans.
“I was happy because I was playing well,” Gotterup said Monday. “I definitely think if you asked everyone in the crowd, 99.9% would say the guy I was playing with, they were probably rooting for him to win. Understandably so. If I was from Europe, I probably would be, too. But I was happy to spoil that a little bit.”
–Field Level Media
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