In a dramatic final round at the Travelers Championship, Scottie Scheffler and Tom Kim demonstrated commendable sportsmanship and resilience when a protest disrupted their quest for victory on Sunday. Despite the high stakes, both golfers supported each other as climate activists invaded the 18th green, causing a brief but tense interruption.
As Scheffler, Kim, and fellow competitor Akshay Bhatia approached the conclusion of their rounds on the decisive 18th hole, six protesters stormed the green wielding smoke bombs and chanting slogans. The protesters, advocating for urgent climate action, quickly drew attention with shirts bearing the message “NO GOLF ON A DEAD PLANET.” Although the disruption was swiftly managed, its potential to alter the tournament’s outcome was significant.
In the aftermath, Scheffler emerged victorious after a playoff against Kim, redeeming himself after a challenging performance at the US Open. Reflecting on the incident, Scheffler expressed gratitude for the swift resolution, noting the importance of maintaining composure under pressure. “From my point of view, they got it taken care of pretty dang fast, and so we were very grateful for that,” he said. “When something like that happens, you don’t really know what’s happening, so it can kind of rattle you a little bit. That can be a stressful situation, and you would hate for the tournament to end on something weird happening because of a situation like that. I felt like Tom and I both tried to calm each other down so we could give it our best shot there on 18.”
The quick response by the Cromwell Police Department was crucial in restoring order, with the PGA Tour acknowledging their efficient handling of the situation. The protesters were apprehended, and the green was cleared of residue left by the smoke bombs, which had stained the surface. The crowd responded with chants of “USA, USA” as the protesters were led away.
Extinction Rebellion, the activist group behind the protest, later issued a statement to the Associated Press. They highlighted the impact of climate change on weather patterns, which in turn affects outdoor events like golf. “This was of course due to increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather conditions,” the statement read. “Golf fans should therefore understand better than most the need for strong, immediate climate action.”
While Kim expressed frustration over the condition of the green following the protest, he acknowledged the importance of safety and praised the authorities for their response. “They left a lot of marks on the greens, which is not right for us players – especially when two guys are trying to win a golf tournament,” he remarked. “But I’m very grateful for the tour and the tour security for handling that really well and making us players feel a lot safer.”
Scheffler’s victory secured him a substantial prize of £2.85 million, while Kim, despite the disruption, earned £1.7 million as the runner-up. The incident highlighted not only the unpredictable nature of competitive sports but also the shared respect and professionalism that can emerge in the face of unexpected challenges.