The Open Championship drinks prices as golf punters are forced to shell out for Guinness

A pint of Guinness at The Open Championship will cost fans nearly £8 - but that is still less than the extortionate prices faced by tennis enthusiasts at Wimbledon earlier this month. As the last major of the season returns to Northern Ireland for the first time since 2019, hordes of supporters are turning up to watch the cream of the golfing crop compete against one another, including local favourite Rory McIlroy and Irishman Shane Lowry.

With the four-day event now in full swing, tens of thousands are set to partake in the festivities, with some likely to indulge in a tipple or two. Alongside 'Open themed' drinks such as a 'Rory Mochilroy' and a 'Fleetwood Frappe', a Guinness is anticipated to be the most popular choice, setting fans back £7.75.

Those opting for a Singha beer will face the same price tag, as will those choosing a pint of cider - a slight 25p increase from last year's Open at Royal Troon. A slightly pricier option is a glass of wine (white, red or rose) which is expected to cost fans £8, while a bottle of champagne carries a hefty £75 price tag, making Prosecco a more budget-friendly option at £35.

Spirits will range between £6-£7, while teetotallers will only need to shell out £2.50 for soft drinks and £3 for juices (orange/apple), with a bottle of water priced at £1.50. While the beverages at The Open may be a bit steep, they're still a bargain compared to some of the prices at Wimbledon.

A traditional Pimms there will have set you back £12.25, while a pint of Stella Artois rose for the third consecutive year to £8.85, and a can of Sipsmith gin and tonic was £10.20, reports the Mirror. Even though a £75 bottle of champagne at The Open might make fans' eyes water, it's a relative steal compared to SW19's Lanson Le Black Creation Brut Champagne, which came in at a whopping £96.

The All England Club also outpriced Portrush when it comes to non-alcoholic options, with a can of Coke or Sprite costing £2.75, and a 250ml bottle of juice setting punters back £4.20. While a 750ml bottle of Evian water was priced at £5, the cost did include free refills.

Despite the potential grumbles about the prices at The Open, some supporters have come to terms with the cost of drinks as part of the overall experience. Golf enthusiast Gareth commented: "Value is not the question. It's The Open, so you're just happy to be here anyway."

Joan Conniff and Lari Rennie, who travelled all the way from Canada to Portrush in 2019 and made the journey again this week, had their own take on the situation. Joan said: "I think I can say that I do find the prices a little bit dearer than the last time. But still, in some cases, it's semi-reasonable."

Lari added: "We went to The Harbour Bar of course, and a few other places. It's an experience. I agree with Joan, it's a little bit more pricey than when we were here six years ago, but the atmosphere and the people kind of make it worth it."