TEE times at The Open next week could be disrupted amid concerns about a planned loyalist parade in Portrush.
Event organisers, The R&A, are considering a plan to start the third round of the major early to try and minimise the disruption.
GettyThe R&A are considering changing Saturday’s tee times for The Open[/caption]
GettyFans leaving Royal Portrush could be greeted by a 2,000-strong loyalist parade taking place at the same time[/caption]
Over 60 bands and around 2,000 participants are expected to march through the town streets right by Royal Portrush.
If tee times aren’t moved it is likely that the parade would clash with thousands of golf fans leaving the sold-out course.
The Open‘s third round is scheduled to finish at 8pm on Saturday, with the parade beginning at 8:15pm.
Reports have claimed that the R&A asked Portrush Sons of Ulster, the parade’s organisers, to consider rearranging their event.
However, despite claims by the Belfast Telegraph of a £20,000 offer from the R&A, the group voted against changing their parade date.
In a statement to The Guardian, the R&A said: “We are working on plans to minimise disruption for our fans leaving the championship due to the event taking place in Portrush.”
It’s understood that those plans are set to be adjusted tee times.
It’s not yet known what those changes will look like, with Open officials having little wiggle room due to US television coverage requirements.
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The R&A announced in April that a crowd of 278,000 people are expected to cram into Portrush, Northern Ireland to catch the golf – a record for an Open outside of St Andrews.
The population of Portrush is just 6,150.
The event is anticipated to be the biggest sporting event to take place in Northern Ireland.
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