The R&A is to scrap its ‘no-readmission’ ticket policy for those attending The Open Championship, starting at St Andrews in 2022.
Since 2017 at Royal Birkdale, Open ticket holders have not been able to leave and return to the tournament venue on any given day. This has caused resentment in towns which stage the championship – with Carnoustie in 2018 a notable case – due to local businesses believing they cannot benefit from what is typically the rare staging of the world’s oldest major.
The R&A says it introduced the no-readmission policy in order to crack down on the sale of non-official hospitality on edges of Open venues. The next playing of the championship will see a return to the pre-2017 approach, enabling spectators attending the Old Course next year to come and go as they please within the course of a day in St Andrews.
A spokesman for the R&A said: “We have reviewed our no readmission policy following the Open at Royal St George’s and believe it has proved effective in deterring unofficial hospitality providers and protecting fans. In light of this, we have decided to amend the policy for the 150th Open at St Andrews and future championships so that ticket holders will be able to come and go from the venue. We will monitor the situation closely, however, and if these problems re-occur we will consider reinstating the policy.”