Mark Darbon
Mark Darbon is the chief executive of the R&A.
Notable Quotes
"You want passion from players, you want passion from spectators, but there's a fine line..."View Story →
"The Open Commitment isn't about changing what makes The Open so special, it is about maintaining its long-standing traditions."View Story →
"We're obviously conscious of other events happening on that date. As we approach the championship, we'll ensure we try and avoid that clash wherever possible."View Story →
"The R&A is 'getting pretty close' to staging an Open Championship outside of the United Kingdom for the first time."View Story →
"If there was going to be a change, we'd be communicating that over next 48 hours."View Story →
"It was an unfortunate decision but really clear-cut from a rules perspective."View Story →
Related Stories
How fast Fox trumped divisive DeChambeau to win Open
Ryan Fox's pacy play set him apart from his peers as he triumphed at a fiery Birkdale that threatened to be overshadowed by Bryson DeChambeau's penalty, writes Iain Carter.
July 20, 2026Clear-cut to punish DeChambeau - R&A boss
The two-shot penalty given to Bryson DeChambeau at the Open is a "clear-cut decision" and Donald Trump has not called the R&A, says CEO Mark Darbon.
July 18, 2026Two-shot penalty 'fires up' Open contender DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau says the decision to give him a two-shot penalty for "inadvertently improving his lie", "fires me up" for the final two rounds of the championship this weekend.
July 17, 2026Portmarnock 'pretty close' to hosting first Open outside of UK
Chief executive Mark Darbon says the R&A is "getting pretty close" to bringing the Open Championship to Portmarnock Golf Club in Dublin.
July 15, 2026Decision on changing Open final round timings to follow England World Cup semi-final
Any change to The Open's final round timings, to avoid a clash with the World Cup final should England get there, will be made in "the next 48 hours" and be "subtle" says R&A chief Mark Darbon.
July 15, 2026Could England cause the Open final round to move?
The Open Championship could bring forward Sunday's last round tee times to avoid a clash with the World Cup final, if England make it.
July 14, 2026R&A announce new code of conduct for Open
Fans at next week's Open are being asked to abide by a new code of conduct brought in by the R&A.
July 8, 2026US Open shows why golf is on guard against bad behaviour
With unruly behaviour both on and off the course during last week's US Open, it is imperative officials continue to closely police the situation, writes Iain Carter.
June 22, 2026