Climate protesters disrupt Travelers Championship on No. 18 green

Climate protesters stormed the No. 18 hole during the final round of the Travelers Championship on Sunday in Cromwell, Conn., causing a brief delay in play in the PGA Tour event.

Multiple protesters wearing shirts that read “No Golf On a Dead Planet” were tackled from behind by police and led away. Some released smoke from cans, leaving red and white powder on the green at TPC River Highlands.

Playing in the final group with Tom Kim and Akshay Bhatia, Scottie Scheffler was readying for a birdie putt when the protest began. After police took away the protesters, Scheffler eventually parred. Kim followed with a birdie to force a playoff.

“It kind of slowed things down,” Kim said (via the Associated Press). “It took the meaning of the putt away for a second. Because for the past 17 and a half holes all you’re thinking about is golf, and suddenly when that happens your mind goes into a complete — like, you’re almost not even playing golf anymore. I thought it was a dream for a second.”

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Event officials cut a new hole for the playoff to avoid any lingering debris. Scheffler knocked in another par while Kim bogeyed, securing the former’s sixth tour win in his past 10 starts.

Extinction Rebellion, a climate activism organization, said in a news release that it was responsible for the protest.

“Climate catastrophe threatens everything we love on this planet, including golf,” the organization said. “... Many tournaments have been canceled due to inclement weather. Golf, more than other events, is heavily reliant on good weather. Golf fans should therefore understand better than most the need for strong, immediate climate action.”

Environmental activists from Extinction Rebellion also disrupted last year’s U.S. Open tennis semifinal between Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova. They caused a stoppage that lasted for more than 45 minutes; at least one protester glued his feet to the ground.

“They left a lot of marks on the greens, which is not right for us players — especially when two guys are trying to win a golf tournament,” Kim said Sunday. “But I’m very grateful for the tour and the tour security for handling that really well and making us players feel a lot safer.”

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