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'I admit I was frightened' Streakers, unruly fans force Open to review crowd control
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) -- The British Open plans to review crowd control measures following a tournament in which fans surged across the course and streakers disrupted play. Five fans were arrested for streaking and thousands of spectators stormed the Old Course on Sunday just before Tiger Woods completed his victory. John Paramor, chief referee of the European Tour, said Monday the problems started when Woods and David Duval were playing the 17th hole. "Duval had just played his second shot and suddenly you could hear people running onto the course," Paramor said. "I don't frighten easily, but for the first time ever on a golf course I admit I was frightened. "There must have been thousands of fans who decided that they were just going to come through. I thought we were going to be manhandled, but I managed to push a few out of the way." After both players hit their tee shots at the 18th, fans again ran onto the links, with many jumping over the Swilken Burn. One course marshal was pictured pushing a fan into the creek. Hugh Campbell, chairman of the British Open's championship committee, said the Royal and Ancient Club will review tape of what happened. Officials will also consider the problem of streakers. One woman ran onto the 18th green and held the flag stick as Woods was about to finish his round for an eight-stroke victory, completing a career Grand Slam. "It's easy for a streaker to get on to a golf course," Campbell said. "When you have to patrol 120 acres, you are always going to be susceptible to the problem. I don't think they are a spontaneous act." A Scottish judge on Monday handed down $900 in fines to the five streakers. Sheriff Patrick Davies said the behavior of the three women and two men had "ruined the concentration of golfers under extreme pressure and also had the potential to trigger off serious public disorder." Another person has been accused of offering $15,000 to anyone who streaked at the Open. Davies wants charges filed as well in that instance.
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