Scottie Scheffler and Tom Kim were in a heated battle on the final hole of the 2024 Travelers Championship, each determined to emerge victorious. But in a shocking turn of events, their focus suddenly shifted from the game to avoiding a group of protesters who charged onto the green, releasing smoke bombs and causing chaos.
The police and security personnel sprang into action, quickly tackling the protesters and removing them from the scene as the crowd erupted in chants of “U-S-A” and “ass-hole.” Despite the brief but intense disruption, the players remained focused, and Scheffler’s ensuing birdie putt came within inches of the hole.
Kim, trailing by one stroke entering the final hole, showed remarkable composure and skill, draining his birdie putt to force a playoff with Scheffler, a five-time PGA Tour winner already this season. The PGA Tour officials decided to create a new hole for the playoff to avoid any lingering debris on the putting surface.
In the playoff, Scheffler’s experience and skill eventually prevailed, as he secured his sixth PGA Tour victory this season with a par. Kim’s momentum faltered, and he scored a bogey, but the young golfer showed remarkable grace and sportsmanship in defeat.
The protesters’ interruption lasted only a few minutes, but its impact on the game was remarkable. The incident highlighted the ongoing tensions and divisions in society, but also the power of sports to bring people together and transcend adversity.
In the end, Scheffler’s win marked a thrilling conclusion to the tournament, a testament to the enduring spirit of competition and excellence in professional golf.