“A bunch of idiots” was the phrase Charley Hull used for the protestors who interrupted the AIG Women’s Open.
Two people ran on the 17th green at Walton Heath Golf Club as Hull and Lilia Vu walked to the putting surface in the final round.
One demonstrator set off a flare releasing thick red and yellow smoke, while the other held a sign protesting against the championship’s title sponsor.
“I suffer from asthma but didn’t have my inhaler on me and that stuff was really thick, so no it was not nice,” Hull told the Telegraph. “I wasn’t scared when it happened, just thought they were idiots.
“Someone said they are protesting about oil, but how did they get here today? Drove probably.”
“The police were quick and they were gone within 60 seconds,” Hull’s caddie Adam Woodward added. “Charley took the smoke into her lungs and it wasn’t pleasant for her. Thank God their pathetic actions didn’t affect the result.”
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Environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion claimed responsibility for the demonstration similar to the incident that took place on the 17th hole at The 151st Open Championship.
Just Stop Oil disrupted play at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on that occasion. The R&A released a statement after play finished in Surrey at the weekend:
“Protesters were quickly apprehended on the 17th green during the final group and five arrests were made by the police.
“We would like to thank the police and marshals for their vigilance and the players and spectators for their understanding.”
Hull and Vu eventually completed the par 3 hole, with Vu eventually winning by six shots for her second major title this year. Hull shot 1-over-par to finish outright second, her second runner-up finish in a major event this season.
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