GOLF BRITISH OPEN:TURNBERRY'S AILSA course will be 247 yards longer for this year's British Open than it was the last time it staged the event in 1994.

Six new tees have been built, extending the layout from 6,957 to 7,204 yards, organisers the Royal and Ancient said at a news conference yesterday.

The biggest change in distance is at the par-five 17th hole, stretched from 498 to 559 yards.

There has been a major re-design of the 16th, with a straight fairway changed to a left to right dog-leg and new dunes and hollows created near the burn in front of the green.

A dramatic new tee at the 10th has been constructed on a rock outcrop near Turnberry’s iconic lighthouse and the drive now demands a 200-yard carry over the bay.

The British Open, which has seen corporate hospitality spending drop by as much as 20 per cent, will keep daily ticket prices unchanged because of the global economic crisis.

“The £55 (€62) we charge, when compared to other major sport events, is fantastic value,” said David Hill, the RA’s director of championships. The RA will also offer golf clubs in Scotland and northern England £250 (€283) toward the cost of a bus if they bring at least 30 members. The event will be held in July on the Scottish coast south of Glasgow.

Pádraig Harrington picked up a cheque for £750,000 (€849,000) after winning at Royal Birkdale last year, but prize money for the 138th Open has still to be decided.

Drug-testing will be introduced at the oldest major championship for the first time this year.

Peter Dawson, chief executive of the RA, said the players at the July 16th-19th event would be subject to the same anti-doping procedures that have been taking place for the past year on the main world tours. “The players are already well accustomed to drug testing and will look at this as just another week on tour,” said Dawson.

“We will be using the European Tour’s anti-doping procedures which are well tried and tested. The Royal and Ancient thoroughly supports the anti-doping policies at golf events.”