The R&A sensed it might happen. The local police told players not to intervene if it did.
But when an environmental activist protester descended on the 17th green at the Open Championship Friday, Billy Horschel either didn’t know of the edict or didn’t care.
Throughout the summer in the U.K., several sporting events have been interrupted by the environmental activist group Just Stop Oil, which protests the use and production of fossil fuels. The organization temporarily stopped a match at Wimbledon earlier this month by throwing orange confetti and puzzle pieces on the court. At a cricket match in June, one of the players even carried a protestor off the pitch.
Ahead of the Open’s return to Royal Liverpool this week, with similar disruptions expected, the UK Telegraph reported players and caddies were specifically told not to intervene if protestors made their way onto the links.
On Tuesday, Jon Rahm said he hadn’t yet heard the guidance and he wouldn’t commit to abiding by it either.
“You don’t want to disrupt play, which they’re trying [to do],” Rahm said. “So if it happens where I’m at, I’m obviously going to try to clean up as quickly as possible so we can resume play. That’s all I can say.”
Horschel must have thought the same.
According to the local Merceyside Police, around 12:20 p.m. local time Friday, four people attempted to disrupt play around the 17th green at Royal Liverpool by throwing orange powder on the playing surface. One had a smoke pyrotechnic.
The protestors were quickly detained — with an assist from Horschel, who ran over to escort to officers a woman in a white Just Stop Oil T-shirt. Horschel received a loud ovation from the crowd around the par-3 green.
Play was not delayed and a few blowers were brought in on 17 to clean up the powder.
“We would like to thank the marshals, players and other spectators for their vigilance and understanding as the protesters were removed,” the R&A said in a statement.
According to The Athletic, the 15th tee box was also targeted. All four protestors were taken into custody by the police.
“Two males and two females were quickly detained by both stewards and officers and they were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and public nuisance,” Merceyside Police said in a statement. “They will be taken into police custody to be questioned. Merseyside Police respects the right to protest and expression of views but antisocial, criminal behaviour or disorder will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.
“Police and R&A management will be looking to ensure the activities of anyone who wants to protest don’t disrupt the event itself and if necessary we will used relevant legislation to deal those people involved in it.
