The Open debuts major broadcasting change with special '£300,000' feature at Royal Portrush
Golfers will tee off on Thursday to begin the 153rd edition of the oldest tournament in the sport at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
One of the four majors alongside The Masters, the US Open, and the PGA Championship, the historic tournament - which was first played in 1860 - offers a prize purse of £2.3million for its champion.
Despite all those layers of history, there is one feature that fans have never been able to enjoy - until now.
Fans watching on TV will be treated to a Spidercam positioned above the 18th green to give them an aerial view of the drama in the final stages on Sunday.
That was first reported by The Guardian, who claim the Spidercam will be suspended using four 25-metre-high pylons to give viewers a thrilling view of the race for the Claret Jug.
Golf's governing body, the R&A, were told about the plans last Friday and there were no complaints.
The camera will move away to the grandstand after each player's first shot to avoid interfering with their play.
The Guardian writes that the R&A are paying the £300,000 required in operational costs after 12 months of planning with European Tour Productions and IMG.
Footage will be made available to the R&A's broadcaster partners including Sky Sports and NBC.
'It's not often The Open is the first to do something, as usually innovations are made by the Tours before being introduced by the Majors, so this is really exciting,' said Paul Sutcliffe, the R&A's head of broadcasting and media rights.
'Portrush is one of the few venues without a clubhouse on the 18th green so that gave us a unique opportunity.
'With more space around the green we have been able to install technology.
'There will be some wires around the green, but the camera will retract to the grandstand before each player's second shot so we're confident there will be no interference.
'2019 was one of the iconic Opens with the emotion of Shane Lowry winning at Portrush and Spidercam will enable viewers to walk with the 2025 champion up the 18th.
'It's the greatest walk in golf and should be very special.'
The Spidercam is unlikely to become a fixture at golf events due to the cost, but could be deployed at Royal Birkdale next year for The Open, depending on the outcome of forthcoming discussions.
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