The Open

NTT DATA at The 154th Open

NTT DATA has proudly supported The Open as its official IT provider since 2013 and returns this year as the official IT consultancy, bringing new digital innovations for spectators at Royal Birkdale.

The NTT DATA Wall and ShotView will turn live data and AI-driven insights into precision shot-tracking and detailed player insights, bringing fans closer to the action at one of the world’s finest links courses.

Stay tuned as we release new videos from The 154th Open, highlighting breakthrough data stories, AI-driven insights and digital experiences from Royal Birkdale. Here are some of the highlights from The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.

The words “The Open” in bold font over a misty blue background showing a golf championship trophy emblem.

NTT DATA Wall: Inside the Experience at The 154th Open

The NTT DATA Wall returns as the centerpiece of the Spectator Village at Royal Birkdale, delivering real-time data, broadcast highlights and compelling stories from across the Championship.

Building on more than a decade of innovation, NTT DATA is using the most powerful GPUs available and sophisticated gaming tools to transform more than 120,000 data points from the course into an immersive, engaging second-screen experience. Every shot is mapped with pinpoint accuracy and presented in the context of other shots on the same hole, giving fans a fuller picture of the state of play than ever. Heat maps show each hole and green in photo-real detail, while virtual cameras follow each shot across vast greens. The virtual course also draws on real-time weather data, creating an accurate mirror of the real conditions at Royal Birkdale.

AI to impact

We’re partnering with our clients to advance from limited chatbots and productivity tools to AI-native systems and fully integrated production workflows across hybrid IT landscapes.

Our goal is to achieve meaningful, measurable results while ensuring that AI technology is used responsibly.

ShotView: Getting closer to the action with data

At The 154th Open, ShotView continues to evolve, combining digital-twin technology and advanced analytics to provide deeper visibility of player performance and strategy.

ShotView launched at The 150th Open in St Andrews in 2022 and has since become a fan favorite during Championship week.

Designed for both casual fans and dedicated golf enthusiasts, ShotView makes it easier than ever to explore the game through interactive visualizations, real-time shot-tracking and enhanced statistical analysis.

Digital-twin technologies and analytics are transforming every industry through deeper insights derived from real-time data.

NTT DATA and The R&A

NTT DATA's partnership with The R&A began in 2013, marking the start of a dynamic collaboration that has significantly transformed the spectator experience of The Open, golf's original Championship and the only golf Major outside the US.

Over the years, this partnership has focused on leveraging NTT DATA's extensive capabilities in digital and IT solutions to set new standards in sports technology and fan engagement, supporting The R&A's mission to grow the game globally while maintaining its rich traditions.

Timeline

The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale sees NTT DATA continue to enrich the fan experience through data-powered insights, immersive storytelling and technological innovation, demonstrating how digital technologies can create meaningful impact at one of sport's most iconic Championships.

A golfer swings on a golf course near a historic clubhouse, with a caddie standing nearby and a small stone bridge on the course.

2022

Celebrating The Open's 150th year, we introduced the groundbreaking ShotView technology, enhancing fan engagement with live, data-driven insights.

A golf course with sand traps in the foreground and a traditional clubhouse under a partly cloudy sky in the background.

2023

ShotView technology, updates to the NTT DATA Wall and the debut of an AI-driven digital human created new experiences for spectators.

2024

ShotView 2.0 was launched and more accurate insights were presented on the NTT DATA Wall, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before. We also showcased the transformative power of a private 5G network for enabling the next generation of technology-driven transformation.

Outdoor setup for The Open 153rd Royal Portrush with benches in the foreground and large screens displaying event details.

2025

At The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, NTT DATA continued to enhance the fan experience through its digital and IT solutions, both onsite and online. The partnership further demonstrated how technology and data can support The R&A’s mission to grow the game globally while maintaining its rich tradition.