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The Claret Jug pictured at Royal Portrush ahead of the 153rd Open(Image: INPHO\/Laszlo Geczo)<\/p>\nThe R&A say they are working on plans to ‘minimise disruption’ for fans leaving the course on the Saturday evening<\/p>\n
17:53, 08 Jul 2025Updated 17:58, 08 Jul 2025<\/p>\n
The Claret Jug pictured at Royal Portrush ahead of the 153rd Open(Image: INPHO\/Laszlo Geczo)<\/p>\n
The R&A are said to be weighing up a decision to move the third round tee times at the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Portrush Sons of Ulster are holding a parade in the seaside town on the Saturday evening with over 60 bands due to take part with the march scheduled to begin shortly after close of play when thousands of golf fans will be heading home.<\/p>\n Discussions had taken place in recent months to try and find a solution however requests to postpone the parade were rejected.<\/p>\n The R&A’s concerns centre on the logistical challenges presented with large crowds due to attend both events with close of play at the Open usually scheduled for 8pm and the parade set to get underway some 15 minutes later.<\/p>\n As a result The Guardian<\/a> reports the R&A are considering bringing the start times for play on Saturday week forward meaning an earlier finish on the links course.<\/p>\n In a statement the R&A said: \u201cWe are working on plans to minimise disruption for our fans leaving the championship due to the event taking place in Portrush.\u201d<\/p>\n One possible stumbling block however could be the live American television coverage with it unclear how even a slightly earlier start on the north coast would impact that.<\/p>\n The 153rd Open is set to get underway at Royal Portrush on July 17 with a record crowd set to gather at the iconic Dunluce links<\/a>.<\/p>\n