The Open 2010: St Andrews attendances hit by bad weather

St Andrews faces the prospect of attracting fewer than 200,000 spectators to the Open for the first time since the championship was held on the Old Course in 1995, with attendances likely to fall well below those for the 2005 and 2000 tournaments. The Royal and Ancient, which runs the tournament, said yesterday's storm, which caused the Champions Challenge to be cancelled, may have prevented up to 20,000 fans from attending the final practice day. So far official figures show 72,000 have attended since the championship began on Sunday, with 34,000 coming through the gates today. Fridays traditionally attract the greatest number of people, with the R&A advising that an average of between 42,000-45,000 are expected for each of the remaining three days. This means total attendance could struggle to break 200,000, well below the 223,000 who watched Tiger Woods win on the Old Course in 2005 and the 230,000 that saw him triumph five years earlier. Today the grandstand on the 18th green, which is traditionally the most desirable vantage point, had empty seats, though the R&A says it is unconcerned. "It's fair to say there were a few empty seats. But many people watch on the loop – the holes that take in 8, 9, 10 and 11," a spokesperson said. "The attendance was down on Wednesday because of the weather that stopped the Champions Challenge, but this is not a worry." The on-course Met Office said there should be no repeat of yesterday's storm. "Tomorrow, wind-wise, it will be light to start with but then pick up through the morning until there are 30-35mph gusts in the afternoon. There's likely to be few spells of rain but it will be mostly light and dry," it explained. "On Saturday and Sunday there will be a decent south-westerly breeze, light rain both days but with sunny spells."