FURIOUS golf fans demanded full refunds last night after play at the Open was disrupted for almost the entire day.
The final round of the sport’s most prestigious tournament will now finish on a Monday for only the second time in its history.
Bosses at the Royal and Ancient took the decision after torrential rain followed by high winds in St Andrews caused massive delays.
As a result, the R&A said those who bought Saturday tickets would be eligible for a 60% refund while those able to make the journey tomorrow would be charged £10.
However, many fans were less than impressed with the offer and took to social media to share their frustration.
Peter Flick wrote on Twitter: “Only a 60% refund for the cancelled golf today, poor show”.
Lee Wickham said: “£114 hotel. £80 per ticket. £100+ on food and drink. No golf and a 60% refund? Pathetic!”
Another angry fan wrote: “I’ve paid £80 to see the golf today. I should get a full refund or be able to attend tomorrow.”
Stevie Scott, 52, of East Kilbride, said: “It is a bit disappointing. This is part of a birthday gift for my younger brother and we haven’t seen any golf.
“I am a golfer myself and I am pretty sure it would be very difficult in these conditions.
“The last thing I want to see is some of my heroes not performing the way they can. It is too important a competition.”
Heavy rain had already halted play on Friday meaning some of the world’s best golfers remained on the course until almost 10pm.
More than 40 players resumed at 7am yesterday after Friday’s heavy rain prevented the completion of round two on the Old Course.
The conditions have frustrated some of the leading contenders in the tournament with Masters and US Open winner Jordan Spieth swiping his club in the air after missing a putt that seemed to be held up in the wind.
TV cameras later showed the American telling playing partner Dustin Johnson and a tournament official: “We should never even have started.”
However, the R&A has said it made the right decision in sending out the players after deciding the course was playable.
The R&A has decided to extend the event into a fifth day with the plan to finish round two on Saturday, and the third and fourth rounds to follow on today and tomorrow.
The only time the Open has previously been extended to Monday was when rain severely affected the 1988 event at Royal Lytham, where Seve Ballesteros went on to claim his third Claret Jug.
Many fans were left frustrated with the turn of events as the decision to move the third round to tomorrow potentially left thousands of customers with little action for their £80 Saturday tickets.
The R&A said the refund decision was made in accordance with its terms and conditions for tickets and based on the duration of play.
It also said that official car and coach parking would be fully refunded.
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe