John Ram will play alongside Rory McIlroy in the first two rounds at Hoylake. Credit: PA/David Davies
John Rahm warned Just Stop Oil not to “catch me in a bad hole” as the 151st Open Championships prepares to be the last major sporting event targeted by the protest group.The Telegraph Sport detailed on Monday how players and caddies have received letters asking them not to take matters into their own hands if activists invade Liverpool's King's Course. , warned the protest group not to test his infamous short-melt in the coming days.
“I have a reputation so I hope they don't catch me in a bad hole,” he said, drawing laughter at his press conference on Tuesday. When asked if the violation could affect his concentration, he said, “I really don't know. I've seen a couple of these things. I know they're going to impress. I've seen a couple of them tampering with Wimbledon and it's obvious that this could be the perfect location.”
Merseyside Police's main concern will be potential hotspots across a vast area, including the Royal Liverpool golf course. at Hoylake with a total length of 7,218 yards. Ram warned the protesters that they could end up getting hit by a golf ball.
“Being a golf course in a larger area, they may have more room to run around and do what they want, but I can assure you that you don’t want to be hit by a golf ball,” he added. “Whether intentional or even accidental, you don't want to be caught in the middle of it.”
Ram said he did not see the letter that was sent by the authorities when they arrived. in Merseyside they are told to “don't interfere” and “keep it safe.”
A significant number of uniformed and plainclothes cops patrol the Hoylake Championship as part of what officers promise is a “robust” plan to counter potential sabotage attempts.
However, Merseyside officers face the same challenge as and in the case of Rise of the Animals earlier this year at Aintree, players and caddies were instructed “not to do Johnny Bairstow”.
The same instructions were given to players and staff prior to Wimbledon after Bairstow fought with a Just Stop Oil protester at Lord's during the second ash test.
When asked how he might react, Ram said, “You don't want to interfere with the game, which is what they're trying to do. , so if it happens where I am right now, I will obviously try to get out as quickly as possible so that we can resume the game. That's all I can say.”
Masters champion Rahm made it into the group with Rory McIlroy and former world No. 1 Justin Rose in the first two rounds at Royal Liverpool. McIlroy won The Open last time it was held at Hoylake in 2014.
Recent Comments