Open 2015: Fans frustrated as bad weather delays play again

"But I am a golfer myself and I am pretty sure it would be very difficult in these conditions. The last thing I want to see is some of my heroes not performing the way they can. It is too important a competition.

"At the end of the day, you're in Scotland. You can see four seasons in 10 minutes, never mind a day. That is just the way it is."

Scott's brother Robert was of a similar mind, having enjoyed spending the day in the town of St Andrews instead of walking the Old Course.

The 48-year-old from Perth said: "It is clearly disappointing but St Andrews is a beautiful place, there is a lot to see. We have still had a fantastic day and if we see some golf before we go home that will be the icing on the cake."

The Open - which was attended by crowds of 35,860 and 39,815 on Thursday and Friday respectively - attracts tourists from around the world.

Dan Powers of Schererville, Indiana, refused to let the weather ruin his trip even though he flies home on Sunday.

The 56-year-old said: "This has been my dream for 20-plus years. But I was here yesterday, so thank goodness I got to see a lot of golf.

"We have paid a lot of money for this trip and to not be able to see the third round is somewhat frustrating, but it is Mother Nature and there is not too much we can do about it."

Erica Sandeveldt, 41, from Stockton, California, also made the most of her time in St Andrews.

She said: "We're just having a good time. It stinks we are not seeing any action right now but we're just enjoying the town and the atmosphere. We've enjoyed the Stella."

Yet while the beer was undoubtedly going down well, there was some questioning of why the players were not out on the course.

Mark Christiansen, a 43-year-old American who now lives in Geneva, Switzerland, said: "We flew up for the weekend on Friday with our buddies and we have spent the day drinking, waiting for the wind to die down. That's a good time, it's not to be underrated.

"But we will be disappointed if we don't see some golf, it's a long way to come. I'm kind of annoyed, I think they should play. They should just tee off. As long as there is light they should start playing.

"We were watching on TV earlier and the ball was blowing all around. I don't know how you can play golf in that - but for as much as money as these guys make, they should probably play golf in this."

The R&A announced that Saturday tickets would be eligible for a 60 per cent refund with Monday admission being charged at £10.