R&A chief Mark Darbon confirmed that start times for the third round of the Open will be changed to accommodate the Portrush Sons of Ulster.

The 153rd edition of the tournament will begin 15 minutes earlier than scheduled, as 70 bands and 2,000 people will descend on the town.

Darbon said at a press conference: “We recognise that when we bring The Open Championship to town, we are a guest in the community in which we operate.

“On many occasions, there are concurrent events that take place around the action that we are very focused on here, within the rules of the venue.

“We are making a slight tweak to tee times to try and finish – it’s not dramatic, maybe 15 minutes or so earlier.”