Spectating at The Open

The 148^th Open will be the biggest party in town when golf’s oldest major rolls into Northern Ireland and the red carpet has been rolled out for spectators anticipating for a week to remember in July.

Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington will dominate local attention, while Tiger Woods, Francesco Molinari and Jordan Spieth will all command big crowds – with tickets for all four Championship days already sold out.

That will mean Royal Portrush will be at maximum capacity and, although there is plenty of room for everyone, the best viewpoints will be swamped if you miss the boat.

So here are a few tips for those lucky enough with tickets to help make it a week to remember:

Grandstands

Watching The Open can be an all-day exercise and walking around the course can be tiring work. Luckily, there are grandstands situated in two key areas where supporters can take the weight off their feet.

The 18^th green, where the Champion Golfer of the Year will be crowned on Sunday afternoon, is the hub of action and an almighty grandstand stands guard – giving fans an awesome view of every bunker and contour.

And for those who want a more relaxing experience, the Practice Ground – where every player warms up by hitting a few balls – is the perfect place to watch and – possibly – gather the odd autograph or two.

Spectator Village

Watching golf can be thirsty work but luckily the Spectator Village has everyone covered. A number of food and drinks are on offer, while there are also dedicated kids areas and giant TV screens to ensure you don’t miss a putt.

The Open is proud to supply a wide variety of sustainable, locally-sourced and healthy food options.

Large Screens

With the action spread across 18 holes, it can be hard to keep up with everything but at Royal Portrush a number of electronic leaderboard and giant TVs are located at prime locations.

The Open Shop

What good is it spending a day at The Open without something to take home? The Open is one of the biggest sports events in the world and a momento is key to a special day.

Therefore, a trip to The Open Shop is a must and make sure you get in early to beat the crowds.

The Shop will feature a range of headwear and apparel, outwear, children’s clothing, luggage, homeware, leather goods and golf accessories.

If it all sounds like too much to lug around then fear not – our Complimentary Shopping Storage allows you to leave your bags at The Shop and collect them at the end of the day.

If you spot a gift for a friend then our UPS Shipping Service can help you ship gifts to them, or even your own home, while our VAT refund means you can save time queuing at the airport and claim back your VAT after completing your purchases.