Report: Lack of Atmosphere at U.S. Open Stems From Just 5,000 Tickets Available to Fans

During a U.S. Open that didn’t lack drama throughout, many fans watching noted a lack of atmosphere on the course, which didn’t reflect the excitement playing out on everyone’s screens.

Never seen fewer fans following the final group at a US Open. It’s like the LACC members have arranged to have the greatest players in the world play their golf course for their pleasure. pic.twitter.com/QzySGmnbOi

— Dan Hellie (@DanHellie) June 18, 2023

The final group of the US Open. Not a fan in sight. Mike Whan should be fired! Disgrace!! #USOpen2023 pic.twitter.com/VpbkqQIyiI

— Jeff Smith (@JeffSmithGolf) June 19, 2023

Dan Rapaport, a golf reporter with Barstool, provided a breakdown of tickets available at Los Angeles Country Club.

Official comment from USGA:

“We work with our host site to determine onsite access and availability of tickets.” https://t.co/ec849WaOcs

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 18, 2023

He noted that among the 23,000 tickets for sale, 14,000 were hospitality passes that are likely out of the price range of the rank and file. That left 9,000 general admission tickets for those wanting to cheer their favorites on. The PGA Championship, on the other hand, averaged more than double that number per day at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York—a decidedly smaller metropolis than Los Angeles.

But a report from Golf Digest states the real number of GA passes available to the general public was about half that.

Fans and players alike have criticized the lack of atmosphere at LACC. 👀

Here’s why: https://t.co/VCIJSXNpV9 pic.twitter.com/pM7Wz0IaLy

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) June 18, 2023

Allegedly, 4,000 of the 9,000 went to members of the LACC, which is one of the most exclusive clubs in the nation. That left about 5,000 for the most ardent golf fans to fight over.

For context, last year’s U.S. Open in Boston drew around 30,000 per day, but that group was also louder.

SoCal native Max Homa said on Thursday:

“The crowds are great or hefty in certain areas, but we’re also coming last year from Boston where they’re just louder there. Their decibel is just higher than ours is out here.”

Next month’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool will likely be a bit more boisterous. Reports out of the U.K. state that a total of 260,000 fans are expected, which translates to around 65,000 per day.

Cover Image Via Twitter