R&A Plans Open Tee Time Changes for Portrush Parade Disruption

The R&A, organizers of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush, are considering moving the third round tee times earlier to avoid logistical problems caused by a loyalist parade scheduled in Portrush on the same evening. The parade, organized by the Portrush Sons of Ulster, features over 60 bands and 2,000 participants, and is set to begin shortly after play ends, raising concerns about severe congestion as thousands of spectators leave the course. Despite requests, the parade organizers declined to reschedule, forcing the R&A to explore solutions to minimize disruption for fans. The typical finish time for the third round is around 8pm BST, with the parade starting at 8:15pm, leaving little buffer between events. Adjustments to tee times are complicated by live American TV broadcast requirements, so any changes are expected to be minor but significant enough to ease crowd flow. With an anticipated crowd of 278,000 over the week, the event is set to be Northern Ireland's largest sporting occasion, heightening the importance of managing fan departure smoothly.