Crowds to be capped at 16,000 for Amgen Irish Open as Royal County Down seeks star studded field

Crowds will be limited to around 16,000 a day for the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down where organizers are hoping to attract some big PGA Tour names from September 12-15.

The decision to reduce the number of specators at the famous Newcastle links has been made by the DP World Tour to ensure maximum comfort and the best possible spectating experience, especially for young fans.

“So interestingly, they’ve capped this year's actually Irish Open at 15-16,000 a day, which isn't a huge year’s amount,” said Kevin Lowry, chairman of the club’s Irish Open committee, at a facilitation day for the Irish Golf Writers’ Association. 

“That’s around 5-6,000 a day less than in 2015, the feeling very much being that they want people, especially the younger generation, being able to see  when they're here. 

“There are plenty of good vantage points out there but there won’t be as many stands because there are vantage points out there. 

“They’ve walked the course to decide how many it can comfortably hold.”

While Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry will be the star attractions, the tour is hoping to persuade as many members of the 2007 Walker Cup teams to tee it up.

Crowds were also limited to around 15,000 a day when a star-studded US side beat Great Britain and Ireland 11.5-12.5 in 2007.

While LIV Golf’s Dustin Johnson is ruled out,  the likes of Billy Horschel, Rickie Fowler, Webb Simpson and Jamie Lovemark could make the trip from the US with GB&I stars such as Jonny Caldwell, Danny Willett, John Parry and David Horsey also potential starters alongside home favourite McIlroy.

Royal County Down has spent £4 million (€4.67m) on its facilities this winter, upgrading its irrigation system and building a new course maintenance facility. 

The greens have also been replaced with bent grass which is better suited to the soil in the area than the traditional fescue surfaces.