The Open 2023: R&A on high alert at Hoylake after revealing protestors targeted St Andrews last year

Martin Slumbers speaking at Royal Liverpool.

R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers has revealed that a “credible threat” was made against a senior player at the 150^th Open at St Andrews by environmental protestors.

Although the event passed by without incident, there is genuine concern that this week’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool may be targeted by Just Stop Oil activists following protests at Wimbledon and the Ashes.

Slumbers confirmed that the R&A have spoken with players in case they are targeted. It comes after Jon Rahm admitted he may struggle to keep a cool head should they “catch me on a bad hole”.

“We’ve had no direct intelligence,” said Slumbers. “I think you’re aware that there was direct intelligence last year, and most people in this room don’t know that The Open was targeted last year.

“We work clearly with the law enforcement agencies, and we’ll wait and see what happens. You will have seen that we advised the players, please don’t get involved, and I stand by that. We have enough things in place to be able to deal with it.”

On Tuesday, Masters champion Jon Rahm gave a warning shot of his own when asked if he would be tempted to intervene should a protestor disrupt proceedings during tournament play.

“I don’t know. I do have a reputation, so I hope they don’t catch me on a bad hole,” he said.

“I’ve seen a couple of those things. I know they’re going for an impact. I saw a couple of them intervening in Wimbledon, and obviously, this looks like it could be a perfect spot. But we have nothing to do with it.

“You don’t want to disrupt play, which is what they’re trying. Where I’m at, if it happens, I am going to try to clean up as quickly as possible so we can resume play, that’s all I can say.

“Being a golf course and a bigger area, they might have more room to run around and do what they need to do, but I can assure you, you don’t want to get hit by a golf ball, whether it is on purpose or by accident, however, it may be. You don’t want to be caught in the middle of that.”

Rahm begins his quest for a first Claret Jug alongside Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose on Thursday at 2.59pm.

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