The R&A has introduced a new player code of conduct ahead of this week’s Open Championship, with violations potentially resulting in expulsion from Royal Birkdale. U.S. Open winner Justin Rose believes the move will help ensure the championship is decided by golf rather than outside distractions.

Rose backed the motive behind ‘The Open Commitment,’ which sets expectations for fan behavior throughout the tournament.

“Yeah, I think it’s a good idea within reason. I think the biggest championships, you want the best player to come out of it, and you want the structure of the tournament to be only decided upon who’s played the best golf,” said Rose in a pre-tournament press conference ahead of The Open.

Last month’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills and last year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black featured hostile crowds that did their best to dismantle the players.

As a result, the R&A has introduced ‘The Open Commitment,’ requiring spectators to respect players, fellow fans, and the golf course, with disruptive or disrespectful behavior potentially resulting in removal from the championship.

Failing to do so might lead to the possibility of expulsion from Royal Birkdale. Rose believed that only the players’ golfing ability should determine the winner.

“There’s other factors that can come to the boil. Obviously, for a historic major like this, it would be nice for it to just feel like it’s pretty neutral playing ground and decided by the best player on the day,” Rose added, as reported by Bunkered.

His comments align with the R&A's objective of creating a respectful environment at Royal Birkdale, with the new policy aimed at ensuring players are not subjected to the kind of constant heckling that Team Europe and Wyndham Clark overcame during past high-profile events.

Rose has been around for a long time in the game. He mentioned the change in crowd behavior over the years.

Justin Rose on the change in crowd behavior

Since turning pro in 1998, Rose has witnessed a lot of changes in golf. From the traditional ways to the modern ones, the 45-year-old has seen it all.

“Things have evolved. I think it’s access to [players], access to social media. Obviously how every little thing out there becomes a little viral clip, and obviously that proliferates far and wide. I think people have access to how they’ve seen moments unfold on the golf course or other behaviours, crowds behaving, and it becomes the norm. Everything becomes normalised,” said Rose in the same interview.

Rose's comments come after a fan went viral for recording himself heckling Rory McIlroy at last month's U.S. Open at Shinnecock, highlighting the type of behavior the R&A hopes to discourage through The Open Commitment.

Rose also mentioned the aspect of sports betting, and that is a very possible motivator of the disappointing crowd behavior.

With the new code of conduct in place, players will be able to focus on their game and come out on top at the season-ending major.

What are your thoughts on ‘The Open Commitment’? Share them in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav