Report: Billy Horschel 'fends off' Just Stop Oil protesters at The Open

The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool became the latest high-profile sporting event to be targeted by eco activists Just Stop Oil.

Ben Smith

21 Jul 2023

Report: Billy Horschel 'fends off' Just Stop Oil protesters at The Open

The Open Championship became the latest high-profile sporting event to be targeted by Just Stop Oil.

Earlier in the summer the eco activists interrupted the World Snooker Championship, Wimbledon and even the Ashes.

Jon Rahm previously issued a firm warning to the environmental group before the 151st edition of the major at Hoylake.

Open Championship 2023 live leaderboard

The fiery Spaniard told the group. "I do have a reputation, so I hope they don't catch me on a bad hole.

"I know they're going for an impact. I saw a couple of them intervening in Wimbledon, and obviously this looks like it could be a perfect spot. But we have nothing to do with it.

"You don't want to disrupt play, which they're trying, so if it happens where I'm at, I'm obviously going to try to clean up as quickly as possible so we can resume play."

Just Stop Oil activists briefly interrupted play during the second round on Friday, targeting the par-3 17th at Royal Liverpool.

There are reports that PGA Tour pro Billy Horschel was involved. GB News stated the American "fended off" the group.

After Rahm issued his warning, R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers revealed a plot at the 150th Open involving a 'senior player' was snared.

But only thanks to a journalist who told the governing body and the police.

"We have had no direct intelligence," Slumbers told reporters before play got underway about the likelihood of protests.

Slumbers added:

"There was direct intelligence last year and most people in this room don't know The Open was targeted last year.

"We had a very credible threat which was reported to us that certain players in the field were going to be targeted by environmental activists.

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

"We have advised the players please don't get involved and I stand by that. Beyond that I think security matters I need to keep confidential."

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Just Stop Oil protest at the 17th @TheOpen. Billy Horschel helps one of three protesters off. @TimesSport pic.twitter.com/aOWw0Bs1Zc
— rick broadbent (@ricktimes) July 21, 2023

What happened with the senior player?

Slumbers said:

"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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