The famous claret jug trophy was on show at the course on Tuesday

Crowds at the Open Golf Championship in Kent this summer are expected to be healthier than was once feared.

Earlier this year, organisers feared numbers at the tournament, being held at Sandwich in July, would be affected by the war in Iraq.

In February, with the threat of a long war in the Middle East looming, they had been worried many American and European golf fans would not want to fly to England.

But they are now expecting 130,000 visitors, boosted by golf fans from the South East eager to see Tiger Woods in action.

Security at the Royal St George's course is to be stepped up for the four-day championship, being held in the South of England for the first time in a decade.

'Want to see Tiger'

At the course on Tuesday, tournament organisers the Royal and Ancient Club (R&A) were predicting a successful event.

Championship Secretary David Hill said: "Ticket sales are much higher than we had anticipated, so it's very good news.

"I think a lot of people in the South East want to come and see Tiger Woods, who they maybe haven't had the opportunity of seeing before."

The quiet town of Sandwich is bracing itself for 130,000 visitors

Last time the Open was held at Sandwich in 1993, it was estimated it brought in more than �2m for the Kent economy.

Prize money has increased ten-fold since then and local business will be hoping for a similar financial boost this summer.

But the host of extra visitors descending on what is a small coastal town could bring problems.

David Bonsell, the Royal St George's club captain, said: "Security is a problem - we can never protect any golf course from someone who wants to do something unpleasant.

"But I think people are a lot more conscious of it and we'll try, obviously with the R&A and the police, to control things so everybody has a good time.

"Most people come to watch the golf and have an enjoyable time."