Environmental activists disrupt play at British Open

Environmental activists briefly interrupted play at the British Open on Friday by throwing an orange substance to the side of the 17th green at Royal Liverpool, prompting American player Billy Horschel to intervene.

Police and security guards quickly took action to keep the Just Stop Oil protesters from causing a bigger disruption during the second round.

Play resumed not long after organisers cleaned the substance.

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A Just Stop Oil protester is led away by police and security near the 17th hole during the second day of the British Open Golf Championships at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, Friday, July 21, 2023 Police clear away debris after protesters threw material onto the 17th green during the second day of the British Open Golf Championships at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, Friday, July 21, 2023

Horschel was playing the hole at the time and helped a greenside marshal lead one of the protesters away. The other players at the 17th were Corey Conners and Alex Noren. They all made par on the hole.

The protesters, all wearing white shirts with the words "Just Stop Oil," had entered from each side of the elevated green that sits with the Irish Sea in the background. One of them had a flare, police said.

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Two protesters were immediately taken away from the green, while two others were later escorted away separately.

Officials look at orange material thrown down by protesters the 17th hole during the second day of the British Open Golf Championships at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, Friday, July 21, 2023. Green-keepers clear away debris after protesters threw material onto the 17th green during the second day of the British Open Golf Championships at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, Friday, July 21, 2023.

Local police said in a statement that two men and two women were detained "on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and public nuisance."

Just Stop Oil is an organization that wants the British government to stop new oil, gas and coal projects.

It has interrupted a slew of major sporting events in Britain in recent months, including Wimbledon, an Ashes cricket test and the world snooker championship.

Just Stop Oil protesters are led away by police and security near the 17th hole during the second day of the British Open Golf Championships at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, Friday, July 21, 2023.

British Open organisers said ahead of the tournament they were aware of the possibility of the protesters trying to disrupt the Open but had "significant security procedures in place." It had advised players not to get involved.

The 17th hole attracted most of the attention ahead of the Open after being redesigned to add drama to the tournament. It is listed at only 136 yards but its elevated green challenges players with steep slopes and deep bunkers.

The British Open started Thursday and is scheduled to finish on Sunday.

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