Golf Prodigy: "I Feared for My Life"

Activists stormed the golf course in the middle of the PGA tour event Travelers Championship. Akshay Bhatia was one of those who found himself at the centre of the events. I was in shock, he says to CBS.

» Updated:

» Published:

Golf Prodigy: "I Feared for My Life"
Photo: Seth Wenig/AP/TT

Share this article

Activists stormed the golf course in the middle of the PGA tour event, the Travelers Championship.

Akshay Bhatia was one of those who found himself at the centre of the action.

I was in shock, he says to CBS.

It all started when the leader's ball, the last on the course, was on the 18th green. Suddenly, several activists stormed the green and set off smoke bombs and covered the entire playing area with colour.

Players Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler were in the midst of a crucial stage of the competition when they suddenly found themselves mere spectators as the green was stormed by both activists and police trying to stop them.

Akshay Bhatia, 22, was also playing in the ball, and he recounts being left in shock when it all happened.

I mean, I feared for my life. I didn't quite understand what was happening, says Bhatia to CBS, and continues:

I went into shock and my pulse became very high. It was all very strange and I just got scared, says the 22-year-old who is in his first full year on the PGA tour.

Tom Kim, who was one stroke behind leader Scheffler and had a putt for birdie when the green was stormed, was also left in shock.

It kind of took the seriousness out of the putt for a second. In 17 and a half holes, all you've thought about is golf, then that happens and your thoughts wander. It's like you're not playing golf anymore, I thought I was dreaming for a short second, says Kim.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Germany's Stunning Three-Pointer Secures European Championship Semifinal Spot

Germany's Stunning Three-Pointer Secures European Championship Semifinal Spot

Christian Eriksen Joins Wolfsburg After Training with Malmö FF

Christian Eriksen Joins Wolfsburg After Training with Malmö FF

Färjestad Secures First SDHL Win Against HV71

Färjestad Secures First SDHL Win Against HV71

Hammarby Fined 220,000 Kronor for Pyrotechnics in UEFA Match

Hammarby Fined 220,000 Kronor for Pyrotechnics in UEFA Match

Ben Proud Joins Enhanced Games After Olympic Silver in Paris

Ben Proud Joins Enhanced Games After Olympic Silver in Paris

National Team Expresses Disappointment in Open Letter to Supporters

National Team Expresses Disappointment in Open Letter to Supporters

Finland Reaches Historic Semifinal in European Basketball Championship

Finland Reaches Historic Semifinal in European Basketball Championship

Swedish FA to Report Social Media Threats After World Cup Qualifier Loss

Swedish FA to Report Social Media Threats After World Cup Qualifier Loss

Trump Visit to Ryder Cup: Luke Donald Hopes for No Delays

Trump Visit to Ryder Cup: Luke Donald Hopes for No Delays

Spain Boosts Security for Tour of Spain's Final Weekend

Spain Boosts Security for Tour of Spain's Final Weekend

Europe's Ryder Cup Team Prepares for Title Defense at Wentworth

Europe's Ryder Cup Team Prepares for Title Defense at Wentworth

Lleyton Hewitt Suspended for Two Weeks After Doping Controller Incident

Lleyton Hewitt Suspended for Two Weeks After Doping Controller Incident

Leo Borg Reflects on Tumultuous Time Amid Björn Borg's Cancer Battle

Leo Borg Reflects on Tumultuous Time Amid Björn Borg's Cancer Battle

Mikael Ymer to Miss Davis Cup Match Against Tunisia Due to Injury

Mikael Ymer to Miss Davis Cup Match Against Tunisia Due to Injury

Bolivia's Upset Win Over Brazil Revives World Championship Hopes

Bolivia's Upset Win Over Brazil Revives World Championship Hopes

Henrik Zetterberg Joins Timrå as New Sports Advisor

Henrik Zetterberg Joins Timrå as New Sports Advisor

Kaiza Karlén Announces Career Break Due to Injuries

Kaiza Karlén Announces Career Break Due to Injuries

Karin Frick to Co-Host SVT's Olympic Games Broadcasts

Karin Frick to Co-Host SVT's Olympic Games Broadcasts

Olympic Silver Medalist Raven Saunders Suspended for 30 Months

Olympic Silver Medalist Raven Saunders Suspended for 30 Months

Davis Cup Match in Halifax to Proceed Without Audience for Security

Davis Cup Match in Halifax to Proceed Without Audience for Security