The R&A has defended its decision not to offer a full refund to 40,000 golf fans who bought tickets for Saturday’s all but wiped out order of play at the Open.
The final round of the championship is under way today, just the second Monday conclusion in its history, after long delays caused by high winds and heavy rain.
The governing body is urging as many spectators as possible to take advantage of the decision to charge just £10 per adult to gain entry to the rescheduled final, rather than the normal £100.
Under-16s, accompanied by an adult, will be admitted free of charge in line with normal policy.
A 60% refund is being offered to holders of Saturday day tickets if they apply in writing.
But The Courier was contacted by several readers who bought Saturday tickets for £75 each, spent a “fortune” on food and drink through the day, and want a full refund.
Some were particularly angry, given the wind was forecast on Friday.
Asked if he thought a 60% refund was fair for so little golf, R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said: “I do. It’s in our conditions (but) I can appreciate some might disagree with that.
“A lot of people I know have had a good time out there and you can make an argument many ways about this.
“I think our decision to open up the championship to a very low price of £10 on Monday is the right thing to do, make it a sort of public day, and let’s hope we get lots of people taking advantage of that.”
Play was suspended for a second time on Saturday morning with wind gusts of 45mph recorded on the course.
Heavy rain halted play on Friday meaning some remained on the course until almost 10pm on Friday and did not complete their second round until play restarted properly at 6pm on Saturday.
The lack of play on Saturday was a boon for pubs, restaurants and shops, however, as thousands of fans made a day of it in the town.