'Zero tolerance' rules for The Open revealed in fresh R&A statement

Golf fans attending The Open at Royal Birkdale will be expected to observe a new code of conduct issued by the event organisers.

The Open is the responsibility of the R&A, which will oversee the 2026 tournament at the Merseyside club.

156 players will participate in the competition between July 16 and July 19.

American Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion and The Open is his final opportunity to register a win at a major this year after winning the PGA Championship and The Open in 2025.

With a week to go before the start of the 11th Open to be played at Birkdale, the R&A issued a new code of conduct for fans enjoying the golf in the sunshine next weekend.

"The code of conduct is clearly meant to avoid a repeat of some of the scenes witnessed at Royal Liverpool in 2023 when Brian Harman, who went on to lift the Claret Jug, was the subject of repeated attempts to put him off through jeering, while some of the gallery was clearly intoxicated," reports Golf News.

The R&A asks that fans respect the players, respect the links, respect each other, stay aware of their surroundings and drink responsibly.

Respect for the players includes a request that fans "remain quiet and still while players are preparing for and playing their shots" and refrain from asking for autographs outside the areas of the club designated for the purpose.

There are strict yet vague rules around the aesthetics of the tournament, allowing the organisers to take action based solely on what is deemed 'appropriate to The Open'.

"Flags, clothing or displays of support must be appropriate to The Open and the players, and should not obstruct views, disrupt play or negatively impact the experience of others. Be considerate to local people and communities when travelling to and from The Open," says the R&A.

The code of conduct also states that: "The R&A has a zero-tolerance policy to any form of threatening behaviour directed at players, officials, staff, volunteers or spectators – including but not limited to; foul language, sexual harassment, or any discriminatory abuse on the grounds of gender, age, race, disability, sexuality, or religion."

The last golf major of the year

Royal Birkdale will host the fourth and final golf major of the 2026 PGA Tour season.

As one of the most prestigious events in the sport, The Open will boast a competitive field.

No player has yet won two majors this year. Rory McIlroy bagged his sixth major by successfully defending the Masters title in April before England's Aaron Rai sensationally claimed a maiden major at the PGA Championship at Aronimink.

June's US Open was won by America's Wyndham Clark, whose only previous major win was the same tournament in 2023.

With six days to go until the players step out onto the first tee, defending champion Scheffler is the bookies' favourite to win The Open ahead of McIlroy, the United States' Jon Rahm and fellow American Xander Schauffele.