Airplane Buzzes Spectators at the 2024 British Open as Tough Conditions Challenge Golf’s Biggest Stars

Spectators at the 2024 British Open were given an unexpected thrill as an airplane flew perilously close above the crowd at the Royal Troon Golf Course in Troon, Scotland, during one of golf’s most prestigious events, The Open.

The plane, photographed hovering just above the gallery, raised eyebrows due to its proximity to the course, given that Prestwick Airport with its runway lies a mere 600 yards from the tee at the famous Postage Stamp.

While the airplane’s presence did not interfere with the players, the day’s weather conditions posed a significant challenge for some of golf’s top stars, including recently crowned U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau.

DeChambeau, fresh off his second major victory at the U.S. Open, struggled to a 5-over 76 during Thursday’s opening round at the British Open, citing the tricky winds as a major factor in his performance.

In a post-round interview with ESPN, DeChambeau explained, «[The wind] was in and off the right, and I was trying to draw the ball and the ball was knuckling a little bit. It was a really difficult challenge, and I should have just cut the ball.»

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, who recently faced off against DeChambeau in a thrilling playoff at the U.S. Open, also found himself struggling in the adverse conditions, finishing with a 7-over 78 after the first round.

McIlroy particularly faltered at the par-three eighth hole, known as the Postage Stamp, where he found himself in a greenside bunker and carded a double-bogey.

Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy said, «[It was a] difficult day. I felt like I did OK for the first part of the round and then missed the green at the Postage Stamp there and left it in and made a double. But still, I felt like I was in reasonable enough shape being a couple over through 9, thinking that I could maybe get those couple shots back, try to shoot even par, something like that.»

As the golfers prepare for the second round on Friday, hopes are high for clearer skies both in terms of weather conditions and air traffic at the iconic British Open venue.