Tournament officials for The Open will not broadcast World Cup matches on the large screens at Royal Birkdale this weekend. The decision applies even if England reaches the final on Sunday.
The tournament is opting to be a "football-free zone," according to sources. This stance will be maintained regardless of the outcome of England's semi-final match against Argentina on Wednesday.
There is a possibility of a minor adjustment to tee times on Sunday if England progresses to the final, which is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. BST in New York. This potential schedule change is being discussed with broadcasters, including Sky Sports and NBC, to ensure the latter part of the final round does not directly conflict with the football match. Any adjustment to the tee times is expected to be less than an hour. The leading groups at The Open typically begin play around 2:30 p.m.
Clarity on the final round's tee times is anticipated on Wednesday morning, with R&A chief executive Mark Darbon scheduled to address media the day before the major championship begins. This decision to not show the World Cup on spectator screens echoes a similar choice made at Wimbledon earlier in the month.