HOYLAKE (England) — R&A is worried about more than the weather at this week’s 151 st Open Championship. Environmental activists have also threatened to protest sporting events across Europe this summer.
R&A CEO Martin Slumbers acknowledged on Wednesday that it was a concern. He also said that activists targeted the British Open last year, but that their threat was foiled.
“We’ve had no direct intelligence. “I think you know there was direct information last year. Most people in this room do not know that The Open last year was targeted,” Slumbers stated during his press conference the day before the championship. “We have implemented significant security procedures.” We’ll watch and see how things go. You’ll have seen us tell the players to stay out of it, and that is what I will continue to do. “We have the necessary tools to handle it.”
Cricket, tennis, and horse races have been disrupted by a series of protests from environmental groups like “Just Stop the Oil” who call on the UK Government to stop licensing new oil, coal, and gas projects.
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Two protesters were arrested at Wimbledon two weeks back after they ran onto one of the court and disrupted a match with orange confetti.
A protester spread the orange powder at a cricket match until England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairestow took one away.
On Tuesday, Jon Rahm, the reigning Masters champion was asked if it would tempt him to intervene in case a protester was protesting while he competed.
“I don’t know. “I do have a good reputation so I hope that they don’t find me in a bad place,” he joked.
He added, “I don’t really know.” “I’ve seen some of these things. I know that they are going for impact. I saw them in Wimbledon and this spot looks perfect. But we are not involved.”
Slumbers responded to a question regarding the threat made last year at St. Andrews, Scotland. He said that a journalist present at the press event had given a tip to the effect that “one the most senior players on the field would be targeted by an activist.” Slumbers stated that was all she wanted to say. “I think I have to keep security issues confidential. I hope you can understand this.”
