Unprecedented demand for tickets for The 148th Open at Royal Portrush has led to all four Championship days being completely sold out.
The organisers of the Championship, returning to Ireland for the first time since 1951 have issued a warning that tickets available on reseller sites or on eBay risk the danger of being refused should they be presented for admission next year.
This will set a new record of attendance for the only Major tournament to take place outside of the United States and is the first time it has sold out.
In anticipation of high levels of demand, Championship organisers The R&A moved to an all-ticket model for 2019 but the surge in ticket sales has surpassed all expectations.
Fans wishing to book their place at Royal Portrush next year still have time to visit TheOpen.com to purchase the remaining tickets for the four practice days taking place from 14-17 July.
A waiting list has been introduced for fans wishing to register their interest in purchasing any cancelled or returned tickets for Championship days which may become available at a later date.
“It is clear from the record-breaking ticket sales that golf fans are looking forward to the long-awaited return of The Open to Northern Ireland,” said Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A.
“We knew there would be great demand but it has been even higher than we expected and we expect fans will take advantage of the remaining practice day tickets now that we have sold out on Championship days.”
“The 148th Open is set to be a truly historic and memorable occasion and we are encouraging fans to act quickly to avoid disappointment by securing their place at Royal Portrush through visiting TheOpen.com or one of our official ticket providers.”
“We would also like to take this opportunity to warn fans of buying tickets from unofficial and secondary sources. The only official sources of tickets for The 148th Open are via TheOpen.com or our Authorised Ticketing Providers.”
“Any tickets made available on websites such as Viagogo, Safetickets.net, Stubhub, eBay and Gumtree are done so without the permission of The R&A and as such, may be refused entry to the Championship.”
The Irish Open Championship will take place two weeks before The Open, at Lahinch in County Clare and is likely to see a star studded line up this year with golfers getting their eye in on a similar links course.
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