Thursday 30 October 2014 17:33, UK
The R&A have announced a £5 increase in ticket prices for the Open Championship at St Andrews in July next year.
Prices were frozen for this year's Open at Royal Liverpool following disappointing attendance figures for the 2013 edition at Muirfield.
The R&A had predicted around 170,000 passing through the gates during the week at Muirfield, but only 142,000 were in attendance with many blaming the high prices for the poor turn out.
But the prospect of Rory McIlroy defending his title in the 144th Open Championship over the Old Course have prompted the governing body to increase the cost of a pre-booked day pass to £70, or £80 at the gate.
An R&A statement read: "After being frozen for this year's Open, the price of an adult daily ticket will go up by £5 to £70, if purchased before 31 May, and £80 thereafter. The £70 price represents a £10 increase on the 2010 daily ticket price.
"Ticket prices are being kept the same in 2015 for concessions and accompanied children aged under 16 will continue to enjoy free entry to the Championship."
The R&A are also hopeful that crowds will be boosted by the farewell appearance of five-time Open champion Tom Watson, while three-time winner Sir Nick Faldo has also hinted he will be playing in golf's oldest and grandest event for the final time.
R&A championships executive director Johnnie Cole-Hamilton said: "We are very much looking forward to the return of The Open to St Andrews next year.
"There is always a special atmosphere at St Andrews and we will be working hard to deliver an outstanding experience for spectators once again.
"With Rory McIlroy defending the Claret Jug and Tom Watson making what is likely to be his final appearance in The Open, there will be no shortage of drama and emotion for the galleries.
"It promises to be a fantastic week of world-class golf."
