An imminent new US TV deal will help keep ticket prices for golf’s 2009 Open at Turnberry at the same level as this year's championship, organisers have said.
According to the Scotsman newspaper, David Hill, the R&A's director of championship, confirmed that ticket prices for the 2009 Open at Turnberry, as well as prices on site for catering and merchandise, will be kept at the same level as this year's championship at Birkdale.
Hill also revealed the organisation is close to clinching a new agreement for TV rights in the USA. "At least 60 per cent of our income comes from television revenues," he said. "All our key contracts are in place. As we speak we are re-negotiating in America. Without saying too much, we are pleased with the progress we're making."
The current deal to broadcast the Open in America with the ABC network ends next summer.
"We are talking to different people," said Hill. "The last year of our current contract is for Turnberry in 2009. But like any prudent organisation we are looking well beyond that. Despite the economic downturn, there is still a lot of interest in holding the rights to show the Open. From a US perspective, it seems to fall in the same category as Wimbledon, which is fortuitous from our point of view”.
It's estimated, according to the paper, that the Open has a turnover each year of £25 million and makes a profit of around £10 million.
