Climate activists disrupted the 151st British Golf Open in Hoylake, England. Three supporters of the group Just Stop Oil briefly protested on the 17th hole at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on Friday, lighting an orange torch and scattering orange powder next to the green, footage showed. The protesters were then taken away by the police. Travis Smyth, meanwhile, managed a hole-in-one there shortly before.
“There will be no more holes in ones when our society collapses. We need to stop our government’s 100 new oil and gas licenses before they do any more damage,” the group tweeted about the action. The Australian Smyth was celebrated frenetically for his feat. But he will probably miss the cut.
The penultimate hole is considered treacherous. In the opening round on the par 3, Smyth needed five shots and played a double bogey. “It’s incredible. Yesterday I was still in shock. Now it was a moment that I will never forget,” said Smyth.
Just Stop Oil activists are calling on the UK government to stop issuing new oil and gas licenses immediately. Supporters of the group had caused a stir several times in the past. A year ago, for example, they protested at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Silverstone. Most recently, they caused disruption at the Wimbledon tennis tournament by storming the court and throwing orange powder, puzzle pieces and confetti.