OPEN golf organisers were today urged to clamp down on spectators taking photos with camera phones before the problem spirals out of control.

Several of the world's top players experienced serious difficulties with fans using mobiles during their rounds here at Royal Liverpool this week.

Bubba Watson and Tiger Woods are among the golfers who have had issues with the crowd since the tournament got underway early yesterday morning.

Woods, who has lifted the Claret Jug three times in his career, backed off from a shot during his downswing on the 18th hole yesterday when a spectator took a snap.

Afterwards he said: "People were taking pictures all day. There were a lot of cameras out there. We were backing off shots and a lot of people were moving around.

"I have had numerous years of dealing with it. You just have to stay focused and plod your way around. But it is tough. Fans should put their phones on silent."

Elsewhere, US Masters champion Watson needed to have words with a fan twice before he hit his drive on the second hole of his opening round.

The galleries in Hoylake have once again been massive due to the venue's close proximity to both Liverpool and Manchester and the hot snap of weather.

The course on the Wirral attracts the largest attendance of any on The Open rota outside of St Andrews and when Woods won in 2006 over 220,000 thronged the fairways.

The Royal and Ancient, the governing body that runs the game's greatest event, now allows supporters to use their phones to access the on-course wi-fi.

The R&A have responded to widespread complaints from players by issuing a statement telling fans to keep their mobiles on silent and not to take any photos.

"There are many fans who are experiencing The Open for the first time this week," said executive director of championship Johnnie Cole-Hamilton. "We are delighted at the big crowds we are getting. But we would urge all spectators to keep their phones on silent and would remind them not to take photos."

However, many competitors in the 156-strong field would like to see marshalls start to take action against offenders before there is a serious incident.

Former champion Louis Oosthuizen believes it could have disastrous consequences when the Major reaches its closing stages over the weekend if it is allowed to continue.

"There have definitely been a few spectators out there taking photos when they shouldn't have been, when you have been making a swing," the South African said. "It isn't great. I would urge spectators to put their phones on silent and not to take photos of the players when we are out there taking a shot.

"Whenever I go to any new sporting event where I don't really know what is going on I always switch my phone off so I don't disturb anyone taking part.

"I'm sure there are a few guys out there who are having a great time in the sunshine, who have maybe had a few beers, who haven't really thought about what they are doing. It happens.

"The guys who are complaining about it have probably been affected more by it. When it happens on a swing or when you are taking a shot it is certainly very irritating.

"You have to try and get on with your round and deal with it as best you can in Major golf tournaments. But when a player misses a shot because of a photo it is pretty bad.

"I hope that the organisers deal with it and the situation gets better because the last thing that we want is it affecting somebody when we go into the back nine of the tournament on Sunday."

Mobiles phones were banned by the R&A until just two years ago, but there is a strict policy in place on the use of the devices on championship days.

Royal Navy marshalls walk the course alongside those marquee groups which feature the bigger name players and are instructed to ensure fans are following the guidelines.

Oosthuizen, a surprise winner of The Open at St Andrews back in 2010, feels the large numbers who are at Hoylake are making policing the crowd difficult for organisers.

He said: "Fans speaking on mobile phones and using them to take pictures is probably more of an issue in The Open than it is in normal events that we play on tour.

"The size of the crowd means that it can sometimes be hard for the marshalls to identify the people who are not aware of what the rules on how to use mobile phones.

"As I say, you have to learn to deal with distractions when you are playing at this level because things can and do happen when you are least expecting them and it can be disconcerting.

"But hopefully the marshalls and stewards start to take action against the offenders because the last thing that anybody wants is for the tournament to be spoiled by somebody doing something stupid."