PGA Tour ace rugby tackled by security has brilliant point on eco-berk golf protestors

In a dramatic turn of events at the Travelers Championship, Extinction Rebellion activists invaded the 18th green at TPC River Highlands, causing a brief but impactful disruption just as the tournament neared its climax. The incident unfolded on Sunday, prompting swift action from security personnel and police, reminiscent of a previous notable disruption involving PGA Tour favorite Adam Hadwin.

Hadwin himself, recalling a humorous misstep from last year’s Canadian Open, responded lightheartedly to the protest. During the euphoric celebration of Nick Taylor’s historic victory at Toronto’s Oakdale Golf and Country Club—the first win by a Canadian in nearly seven decades—Hadwin joined the festivities without displaying his official credentials. This oversight led to a memorable scene where a security guard, unaware of Hadwin’s status, tackled him to the ground amid champagne spraying. The confusion was eventually cleared up, but not before the incident left a lasting impression.

Reflecting on the latest protest, Hadwin took to social media, making a playful jab about his own experience: “I’d like to point out that when I was tackled, I held onto the bottle. Unlike this guy,” he wrote, referencing the activist who had dropped a bag of orange powder after being apprehended by security. This comment came as the activist, aiming to scatter the powder on the green, was intercepted just in time, preventing any significant disruption to the game.

The protest occurred during a critical moment as top contenders Scottie Scheffler and Tom Kim were closing out their final rounds in Connecticut. Despite the chaos, Scheffler maintained his composure and, after a brief five-minute delay for cleanup, clinched victory in a dramatic playoff. The protester’s actions, which included scattering white powder across the green, did not affect the integrity of the match. Golf balls and markers remained untouched, allowing the game to resume smoothly.

However, the interruption seemed to momentarily shake Scheffler, leading to a missed birdie opportunity. In contrast, Kim seized the moment, sinking a crucial putt to level the field. The green was quickly restored, and the hole was repositioned for the playoff. Scheffler’s steady par secured his win, while Kim struggled with a challenging bunker shot, ultimately conceding the victory.

With this triumph, Scheffler marked a significant milestone, becoming the first golfer since Arnold Palmer in 1962 to achieve six titles before July. His remarkable season has included wins at prestigious events such as the Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players Championship, The Masters, the RBC Heritage, and the Memorial Tournament, solidifying his position as the world’s top-ranked golfer.

Reflecting on his extraordinary success, Scheffler expressed gratitude in his post-round interview: “It’s pretty special. It’s been a great season, and I’ve been fortunate to come away with some wins. It’s been a lot of fun. Tom played his heart out. He’s a great player, a great champion, and it was fun battling with him.”

Addressing the earlier protests, he added: “Fortunately for Tom and me, we’re great friends, so we were able to kind of relax each other. You don’t really understand the situation, there’s people running around everywhere, and you don’t really know what’s going to happen, so it’s a bit confusing.”

Despite the unexpected disruption, the Travelers Championship concluded with Scheffler’s historic victory, leaving both players and spectators with a memorable experience and a testament to the sport’s enduring spirit.