R&A says its still hopeful for fans at The Open

The R&A is still planning to have fans at next month’s 149th Open at Royal St George’s – despite Boris Johnson delaying the UK’S lifting of full Covid-19 restrictions.

That step had been due to take place on 21 June, but is now being put back until 19 July – the day after The Open is set to finish in Kent.

In a statement following the Prime Minister’s announcement, the R&A said: “We would like to reassure fans that we will shortly be able to confirm our arrangements for The Open at Royal St George’s .

“We are in active discussions with the UK Government and public health authorities regarding capacity levels for the Championship and hope to provide a definitive update for all ticket holders and hospitality guests in the next few days. We would like to thank all fans for their patience and support.”

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers revealed last month that the St Andrews-based organisation had been working on three different set-up scenarios. He said the range for the number of spectators within those was between 25-75 per cent of full capacity, which would have been 40,000 per day at the Kent venue.

Playing at opposite ends of the draw, Calum Scott and Jack Dyer were the only two players to break 70 in the first of two stroke-play qualifying rounds in the R&A Amateur Championship on a testing day at Nairn.

Host club member Scott, the younger brother of world No 7 Sandy, took full advantage of the early starters being out before a breeze turned into a gale to card a bogey-free fourunder-par 67.

That was the best score by three shots for most of the day until Englishman Dyer, who played in last month’s Walker Cup in Florida, picked up five birdies as he came home in 32 to sign for a 68.

Us-based English player Frank Kennedy and Irish duo Luke O’neill and Max Kennedy were the only other players to break par as they opened with 70s in the battle to secure 64 spots in the match-play stage. Scott, inset, who is set to follow in his big brother’s footsteps by heading to Texas Tech University later this year, birdied the seventh going out before adding gains at the 10th, 15th and 18th on his inward journey.

“We were pretty lucky,” he said of being out early. “The first few holes were windy, but it’s now blowing a gale. “I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, though, because anything can happen with that wind. I’m out at midday tomorrow and I expect the wind to pick up.”

Scottish champion George Burns (Williamwood) and Suffolk-based Gregor Tait (Aldeburgh) were next best among the home contingent with 71s late in the day. 57-year-old Dunnikier Park man Derek Paton shot a 74.