R&A boss reveals 'senior player' targeted by environmental activist at The Open

Martin Slumbers, the chief executive of the R&A, has revealed the targeting of a 'high-profile' player by an environmental activist during the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews was snared thanks to a journalist.

The 54-year-old made the revelation whilst giving his annual news conference ahead of the Open Championship, which is being staged at Royal Liverpool this year.

There is speculation Just Stop Oil will target the 151st edition of the oldest major in professional golf at Hoylake this week.

Players and caddies have been briefed not to take matters into their own hands should the group breach security.

Jon Rahm joked the group should not catch him 'on a bad hole' owing to his fiery temper. "I do have a reputation," he said.

Slumbers would not discuss the security measures in place, but was robust in his response.

He told reporters he was confident the R&A have the security measures in place to deal with Just Stop Oil, explaining:

"We've had no direct intelligence [about Just Stop Oil]. I think you're aware that there was direct intelligence last year, and most people in this room don't know that The Open was targeted last year.

"We have significant security procedures in place. We work closely with the law enforcement agencies, and we'll wait and see what happens.

"You will have seen that we advised the players, please don't get involved, and I stand by that. We have enough things in place to be able to deal with it.

"Beyond that, I think security matters I need to keep confidential, and I hope you understand that, but I assure there's enough sentiment in what I just spoke for your question."

Slumbers was asked to elaborate on what, precisely, happened at St. Andrews last July.

He added:

"We had a very credible threat that came through a -- was reported to us through a journalist that's in this room who very kindly and responsibly informed us that one of the most senior players in the field was going to be targeted by an environmental activist. That's all I really want to say."

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BREAKING: Just Stop Oil Paint the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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