SOUTHPORT, England — Royal Birkdale Golf Club opened to spectators on Wednesday for practice rounds of the 154th Open Championship. The R&A projects attendance approaching 280,000 across the eight days, with all ticket allocations sold out.

The championship proper begins Thursday. Southport businesses, hotels and restaurants reported near-full bookings, mirroring the economic surge from the town's last hosting of The Open in 2017.

Wednesday's practice sessions drew fans to the dunes for early glimpses of leading contenders, including former champion Jordan Spieth, who won at Royal Birkdale in 2017. Concessions, the merchandise pavilion and hospitality venues opened alongside the course, offering the traditional fare of the links championship.

The R&A reviewed security arrangements in coordination with Merseyside Police, with bag checks and controlled entry points in operation across the Ainsdale site. The governing body urged spectators to use park-and-ride and rail services from Liverpool and Manchester.

An R&A spokesperson said the organisation was "delighted to welcome fans back to Royal Birkdale for one of the great weeks in the sporting calendar," adding that preparations for the championship had been completed ahead of Thursday's first tee shots.