Just Stop Oil hit The Open as eco protester dragged off by golf star after Hoylake disruption

Just Stop Oil have made their mark at The Open as action at Hoylake was disrupted.

The environmental activist group set off flares during the high-profile event and were detained while the mess was cleared up by leaf blowers. They have had already launched protests at the World Snooker Championship, Wimbledon and the Ashes this summer, and have now struck again at the golf major, which started which got underway at Royal Liverpool 24 hours beforehand on Thursday.

Members of the group stormed onto the course and released an orange flare midway through proceedings before security were on the scene to escort them off. PGA Tour star Billy Horschel meanwhile took actions into his own hands, as he and playing partners Corey Conners and Alex Noren made their way up the par three. As a protestor made their way onto the playing area, he intervened and appeared to stop the person in question getting involved any further.

Horschel led to the protestor towards the oncoming security, and was cheered by spectators. There were concerns going into the event there had been concerns that protestors would enter the course.

Just Stop Oil tweeted: "There will be no more holes in one when our society collapses. We must stop our government’s 100 new oil and gas licenses before they go on to cause more harm."

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