'I Was Scared For My Life' - Akshay Bhatia Shares First-Person Account Of Moment Protestors Ran Onto The 18th Green At The Travelers Championship
Members of protest group Extinction Rebellion entered the course and threw chalk over the putting surface as the final three players approached


Akshay Bhatia admitted he was "scared for my life" when climate protesters entered the 18th green at The Travelers Championship on Sunday.
Bhatia - who was in the final group alongside Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler - was preparing to finish off his tournament when a group of Extinction Rebellion activists ran onto the putting surface at TPC River Highlands and began throwing red and white powder all over the ground.
The three golfers quickly moved off to the side while a host of police officers arrived on the scene to apprehend the trespassers. Once the protesters had been taken away, Kim birdied the last to reach a playoff with Scheffler - which the World No.1 went on to win - and Bhatia tapped in for a closing par which helped him achieve a T5 result.
After his round, Bhatia spoke to CBS Sports reporter Amanda Renner about the late incident. Asked what was going through his head at the time, Bhatia replied: "I mean, I was scared for my life. I didn’t even really know what was happening. All of a sudden, four, five people come out running on the green.
"Yeah, I mean, it was kind of weird. But thankfully the cops were there and kept us safe, because that’s, you know, that’s just weird stuff."
Akshay Bhatia reflects on his finish @TravelersChamp and the incident on the 72nd hole. pic.twitter.com/wRO3PkvcepJune 23, 2024
Earlier in the day, but on the other side of the world, Extinction Rebellion members had delayed the start of the KLM Open on the DP World Tour by blocking the entrance to The International Golf Club in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Many of the activists at both sites had t-shirts on with messages that read: "No golf on a dead planet" - with the group later confirming in a statement that they were not campaigning against the sport specifically and simply trying to raise awareness around the critical state of the world's climate.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The statement said: "On Sunday June 23, in a disruption far less severe than that of any extreme weather event, notably the previous day’s lightning strike, Extinction Rebellion activists interrupted play at Travelers Championship, as Scottie Scheffler was playing at the 18th hole."
"With this action, Extinction Rebellion is NOT protesting any individual or organization. Rather, the protest highlights the worldwide danger of climate breakdown."
A protestor is taken away from the 18th green in handcuffs
For Bhatia, who was involved in the incident at the Travelers Championship, the American stated that the protesters' actions caused him unnecessary concern as he aimed to finish off his one-under final round.
Meanwhile, eventual champion Scheffler called the moment "a bit stressful" but was grateful for law enforcement's rapid response.
Asked if it was even possible to calm down and refocus on his closing shots after such a fright, Bhatia said: "I mean, I was in shock and my heart rate was high. It got low and then once that kind of happened I just freaked out. I just tried get over where everyone was. It was hard to do it, I think it was just weird."

Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Former Masters And US Open Low Amateur Wins First Pro Title In Long Playoff After Heroic Comeback
Neal Shipley secured the LECOM Suncoast Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour in dramatic style one year after earning the Silver Cup at Augusta National
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Home Favorite Ashun Wu Cards Lowest Final Round To Seal Second China Open Title And Reclaim DP World Tour Card
Ashun Wu added to his 2015 China Open title with another in 2025 thanks to a superb final round 65 - propped up by a stunning back nine at Enhance Anting GC
By Jonny Leighfield
-
RBC Heritage Tee Times 2025: Round Four
A fascinating final day is in prospect at Harbour Town as some big names challenge for the title - here are the tee times for Sunday
By Mike Hall
-
Justin Thomas Calls One-Stroke Penalty On Himself In Third Round Of RBC Heritage
The overnight leader breached a rule on just his second hole of the day as his bid for a first win since 2022 suffered a setback
By Mike Hall
-
Five-Time PGA Tour Winner Disqualified From Corales Puntacana Championship Over Rules Incident
Ben Crane made a costly error during the third round of the Corales Puntacana Championship that led to disqualification
By Mike Hall
-
The Impressive List Of Course Records Justin Thomas Holds.... Including TPC Sawgrass, Medinah And Harbour Town
Justin Thomas is having a hugely successful PGA Tour career - and he has set several course records along the way
By Mike Hall
-
Rory McIlroy To Make First Competitive Start Following Masters Victory
Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry will return to TPC Louisiana, with McIlroy making his first competitive appearance since his Masters victory
By Matt Cradock
-
RBC Heritage 2025 Tee Times - Round Three
Justin Thomas leads going into the weekend at the RBC Heritage, with the American searching for a first victory since the 2022 PGA Championship
By Matt Cradock
-
How Much The Winning Caddie Earns At The RBC Heritage
The latest of the PGA Tour’s signature events offers a huge prize for the winner, and the caddie alongside the champion is due for a big payday too
By Mike Hall
-
Tommy Fleetwood Makes Putter Change At RBC Heritage
The Englishman has switched from a blade putter to a custom mallet-style TaylorMade Spider Tour putter for the Harbour Town event
By Mike Hall