PGA Tour Golfer Akshay Bhatia recently had a frightening experience at the Travelers Championship final round when a group of protesters unexpectedly ran onto the 18th green, causing chaos and disrupting the tournament. Bhatia, who was standing alongside fellow golfers Scottie Scheffler and Tom Kim, shared his feelings of fear and shock during the incident.
In an interview with CBS Sports’ Amanda Balionis, Bhatia expressed his initial reaction to the protesters storming onto the green, saying, “I was scared for my life. I didn’t really know what was happening. All of a sudden, four or five people come out running on the green. It’s kinda weird, but thankfully cops were there and kept us safe. Just weird stuff.”
Despite the unsettling interruption, Bhatia managed to regain his composure and finish tied in fifth place after sinking his par putt. The protesters, who were swiftly removed from the premises by authorities, were wearing T-shirts with the extinction symbol and the message “No golf on a dead planet,” indicating their stance as climate change activists.
Bhatia’s performance in the tournament was solid, with a final-round score of 69 and an overall finish of 18-under. Reflecting on his gameplay, he admitted that he could have been more aggressive in pursuing the leaders, Scheffler and Kim, who were engaged in a tight battle for the top spot.
Having recently placed T-16 at the challenging U.S. Open, Bhatia is gearing up for The Open Championship next month, where he hopes to continue his strong play without any further disruptions. The young golfer’s resilience in the face of unexpected events at the Travelers Championship highlights his determination and focus on the game.
As the golfing community rallies behind Bhatia and his peers, the incident serves as a reminder of the potential disturbances that can occur in professional sports settings. While the actions of the protesters may have been disruptive, Bhatia’s professionalism and ability to stay composed under pressure are commendable traits that will serve him well in future competitions.