Golf fans attending the first day of the Open Championship at Carnoustie were yesterday forced to give up their mobile phones as the organisers seek to minimise disruption to the world's top players.
Golf fans attending the first day of the Open Championship at Carnoustie were yesterday forced to give up their mobile phones as the organisers seek to minimise disruption to the world's top players.
Spectators use mobiles as much for taking photographs and videos as phone calls, but the R&A introduced a ban after last year's event at Royal Birkdale in England was disrupted by incidents with phones.
Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia yesterday joined Scot Colin Montgomerie in backing the no mobile phone policy at this year's Open.
Garcia was one of the victims when he was out in the final group with eventual winner Tiger Woods in 2006.
The pair drew huge galleries but the constant interruption from mobiles meant both players were constantly being held up and, as a result, they were put on the clock by officials.
Sergio Garcia said: "Last year I got to play with Tiger in the last round and it wasn't so much the phones ringing - it was guys taking photos with their camera phones.
"Every time you went on the tee they were going off. We had to keep backing off shots and as a result Tiger and I got put on the clock and we had to rush at the beginning of the back nine."
The Spaniard called on visitors to "take 50p (for the numerous public payphones) and I think you will be fine".
Montgomerie said it was a policy "that has been coming for many years, and I think it's right that it should be".
Meanwhile, the storm caused by Gary Player's drug accusations only just surpassed the weather yesterday.
On the eve of the championship, the 71-year-old nine-time major winner claimed he "knew for a fact" players were using drugs.
Australian Rod Pampling called on Player to name names if he was certain. "If he's definite he should name the people," added Pampling.
South African Retief Goosen dismissed the claims. He said: "I don't know what Gary was trying to prove saying what he said.
"I'm actually very shocked at his comments. I don't know if he is trying to damage the sport, damage golf."
Spectators and players were also told yesterday they would face similar conditions that greeted the starters in the 136th Open Championship, and this would likely continue into the weekend.
The drizzle and overcast skies have led to concerns that the tournament will not attract as many as the 200,000 who went to Royal Birkdale last year.
The forecast for today is cloudy but mostly dry conditions with a small chance of light drizzle. Sunny spells are expected to develop later, with a temperature of around 16C.
Tomorrow, it is again forecast to be cloudy but dry at first, with showers then heavier outbreaks towards the end of the day while being chilly with a maximum temperature of 12C.
Sunday is to be dry at first with bright spells but possible heavy showers in the afternoon and a maximum of 16C. The last time The Open was at the Angus links in 1999, the weather was so bad the course was dubbed "Carnasty".
