R and A BLAMES HEATWAVE FOR DROP IN OPEN ATTENDANCE FIGURES

         HOW NICE TO SEE AN OPEN CHAMPION WITHOUT A SPONSORED HAT

                   THE EYES HAVE IT! Phil Mickelson sparkling with the Claret Jug 
                                        Picture by courtesy of Getty Images (c)

 FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE

The R and A was expecting 160,000 fans at Muirfield and hoping for 170,000, but a total of 'just' 142,036 made the trip to the East Lothian venue at Gullane during the week, with 29,247 there yesterday to see Phil Mickelson lift the Claret Jug. 

A total of 160,595 spectators were at Muirfield the last time the Open was staged there in 2002, with 31,422 watching Ernie Els emerge victorious on the final day following a four-man play-off.

Ticket prices of £75 have been blamed for the drop in attendance, but a spokesman for the Open Championship said: "More than 142,000 people attended the Open. That is almost 90 per cent of the figure in 2002 and we are pleased with this attendance.

"Advance ticket sales were very strong and we believe the extremely warm weather put off some of our pay-at-the-gate customers.

"That is perhaps why, unusually, we had a higher attendance on Sunday in cooler weather than we did on Friday which is normally the busiest day. The blend of a British winner of the Tour de France and Ashes cricket on television over the last few days may also have had an impact."

Related Articles (click on the links to read)

• Fitzpatrick wins Silver Medal
  21 Jul 2013
• Tiger's failure all too familiar
  22 Jul 2013
• Mickelson targets has eye on career grand slam
  21 Jul 2013

More than 180,000 fans were at Lytham last year when tickets cost £70, although children under 16 are given free entry when accompanied by an adult and organisers feel the amount of play - particularly on the first two days - ensures value for money.
The attendance figures for the 2002 and 2013 Opens at Muirfield are listed below, first column 2002, second column 2013

     

Practice days	30862	31320
Thursday	30620	23393
Friday	34479	29144
Saturday	33212	28932
Sunday	31422	29247
Total	160595	142036