Action at the Open Championship was briefly delayed on Saturday due to an unlikely intruder.
Play had to be stopped at the 13th hole at Royal Liverpool after a toad appeared on the fairway. The toad had to be removed before play could continue.
A toad has stopped play on the 13th hole at #TheOpen. 🐸
📺: @NBC and @peacock pic.twitter.com/2o6wmrBiAz
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 22, 2023
Why all the fuss over a toad? This was no ordinary amphibian. The Natterjack toad is a threatened species and heavily protected by UK law, according to Joel Beall of Golf Digest. A specialist is required to safely remove them if they are spotted on the course, a responsibility that in this case fell to Royal Liverpool links manager James Bledge.
Normally when we see animal delays at golf tournaments, the animal in question is a little more dangerous. Still, a toad delay is at least unique and memorable, as long as it doesn’t last too long.
