Cheers not jeers show fans are winners

British golfers may struggle to win The Open - just two triumphs in nine years - but the fans were today applauded for their winning behaviour.

Unruly spectators are causing increasing concern in the United States, especially ahead of the Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills in Michigan in September.

It started with the 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline, where the European team were subjected to outrageous abuse. Since then the traditional etiquette of watching golf in America has been slowly eroded.

This season has seen Davis Love confront a heckling spectator at the World Golf Championship Match Play in California. And last month Retief Goosen was cruelly taunted during the final round of the US Open on Long Island.

But The Open at Royal Troon passed off without incident and Peter Dawson, secretary of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, insisted: "The crowds at The Open are the best in the world. They give everyone great support.

"The crowds here are known for their knowledge of the game and their behaviour is the envy of many other sports and many other golf events. This year's Open has continued that record."