During the final hole of regulation at the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship on Sunday, the leaders were lining up their putts on the 18th green when six climate protesters stormed onto the course. The protesters sprayed smoke and powder, causing a delay of about five minutes.
As Scottie Scheffler, Tom Kim, and Akshay Bhatia finished their rounds, protesters made their presence known by waving smoke bombs that left behind a residue of white and red on the putting surface. The protesters also wore white T-shirts that had the phrase “NO GOLF ON A DEAD PLANET” printed in black lettering on the front, making their message clear.
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Bhatia expressed his fear for his life during the incident. He admitted to being clueless about what was happening at the time. However, he was grateful that the police were present and able to ensure their safety. According to him, the whole situation was just strange and unsettling.
The Cromwell Police Department’s swift and decisive action was greatly appreciated by the PGA Tour, as stated in their official statement. They also confirmed that there was no harm done to the 18th green, which had no impact on either the regulation’s conclusion or the playoff hole.
During a traffic stop at the PGA Championship, Scheffler was arrested, but he also commended the officers involved.
Scheffler, the top-ranked player in the world, expressed his appreciation for the swift resolution of the issue, stating, “They handled it pretty quickly, and we were really thankful for that.” He went on to triumph over Kim in a sudden-death playoff, securing his sixth win of the year.
Scheffler expressed his feelings about the unexpected situation they faced during the tournament. He admitted that it was quite unnerving, as they were not sure what was happening at the time. Such occurrences can be stressful and might have affected the outcome of the game. However, he and Tom tried to keep their composure and encourage each other to focus on giving their best performance on the 18th hole.
According to a statement sent to The Associated Press, Extinction Rebellion, an activist group known for causing disruptions at various events worldwide, has taken responsibility for the recent protest. The group is attributing the cause of an electrical storm that resulted in the injury of two individuals at a nearby residence on Saturday to climate change.
“The statement attributed the cancellation to the unpredictable and extreme weather conditions that have become increasingly common. Golf, unlike other events, is highly dependent on favorable weather. As such, golf enthusiasts are perhaps better placed than most to appreciate the pressing need for urgent and effective climate action.”
Following the removal of the protesters from the scene by the police, Scheffler proceeded to face a potential 26-foot clincher from the fringe, located on the right edge of the cup. Ultimately, he managed to tap it in for par. Meanwhile, Kim, who had been trailing by one stroke heading into the final hole, was able to sink a 10-foot birdie putt, thereby tying Scheffler and forcing the playoff.
According to Kim, the protest provided a much-needed distraction from the stress and pressure he was experiencing.
He expressed, “It had a slowing effect on the game,” he said, referring to the distraction. “It momentarily takes away the significance of the putt. Throughout the previous 17 and a half holes, you’re solely concentrated on the game, and when something like that occurs, it completely takes over your mind, and you’re no longer playing golf. For a moment, I assumed it was a dream.”
As the protesters gathered around the 18th green, the onlookers responded with jeers and vulgar language. On the other hand, the police intervention was met with applause and support. Once the players had completed their regulation putts, workers appeared with leaf blowers to clear away any remaining powder.
For the playoff on No. 18, the hole location was relocated. Scheffler emerged victorious by parrying the first hole of sudden death.
According to Kim, the players were not pleased with the marks left on the greens during the golf tournament. He emphasized that it was not the right thing to do, especially when two players were competing for the win. However, Kim expressed his gratitude towards the tour and the tour security for handling the situation efficiently and ensuring the safety of the players.
