Security is to be reviewed at The Open after two people allegedly stole a golf buggy and crashed it through barriers at speed close to the main spectator entrance.

The world's leading ­golfers are teeing off today in the tournament at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake on Merseyside.

But the event began with a bang when the electric cart was spotted by golf fans ­leaving the final practice day last night being driven erratically with two people on board.

It approached the metal barriers at the entrance/exit of the fourth spectator gate at speed, knocked them aside and came to rest on a banking just outside the venue.

One person was treated for minor injuries after the incident, but spectators suggested it could have been far worse. "I heard a loud crash and saw the buggy come through," said one witness, who asked not to be named. "It was pretty frightening. Somebody could very easily have been killed."

Police sources confirmed one man had been arrested and another was helping them with their inquiries following the incident, which took place at around 7pm last night.

The buggy was in the care of an official from The Royal & Ancient, the St Andrews-based governing body of golf that organises the Open.

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, the R&A's executive director of championships, said: "There was an incident with an R&A buggy and the police, as you can see, are now investigating it.

"I can't say any more than that while it is under investigation."

Merseyside Police were not available for comment.