Billy Horschel helped Open security chiefs swiftly remove protesters who invaded the 17th green at Hoylake.
The American star escorted a woman wearing a Just Stop Oil T-shirt covered in orange paint off the putting surface and into the custody of a police officer. Horschel and playing partners Corey Conners and Alex Noren were on the penultimate hole when protestors threw powdered paint onto the green and let off a smoke flare. The woman, along with two other protestors, were handcuffed and marched off the premises by police.
The United States star didn’t wish to discuss the incident afterwards, but a statement Royal and Ancient clarified: “A protester was quickly apprehended on the 17th hole and is one of four people who have been arrested by the police. Play was not disrupted and we would like to thank the marshals, players and other spectators for their vigilance and understanding as the protesters were removed.”
Just Stop Oil stated three people in total were involved in the protest. Their statement read: “At around 12.20pm, three Just Stop Oil supporters ran onto hole 17 at The Open in Royal Liverpool. They set off a smoke flare and threw orange powder paint on the green before being removed by security.”
Greenkeeping staff were dispatched to the hole and removed the powdered paint with leaf-blowers. The Open is the latest high-profile sporting event to be targeted this year after incidents at horse racing’s Grand National, Wimbledon, Ashes Cricket and the World Snooker Championships.
Open organisers were prepared for a protest and stressed they had put in extra security precautions.
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