'It's going to be great': Locals excited as Troon prepares to The Open Championship 2024

The people of Troon are embracing golf fever as the town gets ready to host the 2024 Open Championships.

The tournament kicks off on Thursday and will run to Sunday, July 21, with all of the sports’ top names vying to take home the trophy.

Homegrown hero Bob MacIntyre will be a big fan favourite as he looks to emulate his success at the Scottish Open.

STV took the streets of Troon to see how the build up to the event is going.

‘Feel-good factor’

Ian and Agnes are volunteering to work at the event are looking forward to it and hoping the weather isn’t too bad over the next week.

Agnes said: “We are volunteer scorers, so we walk with the players recording their scores, we are very much looking forward to it.

“And on the back of Bob MacIntyre winning yesterday it’s going to be great. There is a definitely a feel-good factor in Scotland.

“We have seen some of the banners and the bunting out, and once it gets started then the people will embrace it.

“If the weather holds it will be absolutely fantastic, if it’s a bit damp then I think people will still come out, and the true golf fans will still appear.

Ian said: “I am a wee bit worried about the weather, but hey-ho, it’s Scotland, we’ll be prepared for it.

“It’s a great course, and a nice part of the world, so I hope we get decent weather and a good competition.”

Lee and Lewis, who are originally from Troon, have flown in from Singapore for the event.

Lee said: “We are really looking forward to it and hope the weather stays good for it. It’s always a nice atmosphere during The Open.

“There’s always a bit of a buzz around and it is fantastic for the town. It’s a fantastic course, it’s really great with some iconic holes and just a great spot to play golf.

“The crowd are going to be going mad for Bob, especially after yesterday’s performance. There will be a huge support for him and big hopes.

Lewis said: “It’s great to see, we are not used to it being this busy here. I’m looking forward to seeing all the top players and seeing a good game.”

Local shop manager Rebecca Wylde said: “We are really excited, we have never been here for the Open before, there is just a really good buzz about the town and everyone is getting involved so it is nice to be part of it.

“There is a lot going on to drum up interest and drive people into the town, so based on that we are thinking it will be good.

“There is always the rumours going about, about who will be in town for it as well, we have got Tiger Woods already so that is exciting in itself, and someone told me Harry Styles is staying as well, I don’t know if that’s true but that’s one I get excited about.”

Meanwhile the R&A has announced minimal increases to prize money for the 152nd Open amid “concern” about the impact on financial sustainability and the perception of golf.

The winner at Royal Troon will receive a record £2.38m in prize money, an increase of just £75,000

The total prize fund of £13.1m is up by just £385,000 on last year.

The launch of the LIV Golf League in 2022, which offers purses of £15.5m at each of its events, has prompted the PGA Tour to do likewise at a number of “signature” events in an attempt to prevent more players joining the Saudi-funded breakaway.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: “The R&A has a responsibility to strike a balance between maintaining The Open’s position in the global game, providing the funds required for governance and developing amateur and recreational golf in 146 countries internationally.

“We have to make choices if we want to continue to build on the significant growth in participation that is essential for golf’s future.

“We remain concerned about the impact substantial increases in men’s professional prize money are having on the perception of the sport and its long-term financial sustainability.

“We are determined to act with the interests of the global game in mind as we pursue our goal of ensuring golf continues to thrive in 50 years’ time.”