I’ve never seen an event paused for *checks notes* a toad, but here we are. Today is the day, folks. The British Open was put on pause for a brief moment because of a toad.
Yes, a toad.
We’ve already had some pretty unlikely stars take over the British Open broadcast. But, y’all. This is a toad. A toad! The circumstances here are just incredible.
To be fair to this toad, though, it’s not just any toad. Specifically, it was a Natterjack toad that took over the course.
You’re probably asking “What’s so special about the Natterjack toad? Why can this toad stop my golf?!?” Those are some pretty reasonable questions, honestly.
Luckily for you, I’ve got some answers.
Hold up. A toad? Held up a THE BRITISH OPEN!?
Yes! It was actually pretty funny. It completely stopped play on the 13th hole at the British Open.
All you see is this small…thing hopping across the green on a camera. There isn’t a golfer in sight.
A toad has stopped play on the 13th hole at #TheOpen. 🐸
📺: @NBC and @peacock pic.twitter.com/2o6wmrBiAz
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 22, 2023
This is pretty wild.
Wild doesn't even describe it. How is this possible?
Well, as I said before, this is a Natterjack toad. That’s a pretty important detail in all of this.
A quick read from this article in the Liverpool Echo shows us that the Natterjack Toad is actually a protected species. The Hoylake golf course where the British Open is taking place is actually a breeding ground for these toads.
“But the club has been working with wildlife specialists to ensure the toads breeding ground – the only site in Wirral – will be protected.
The golf club’s links manager Craig Gilholm said the toads were ‘just outside the perimeter’ of golf course and their breeding grounds are looked after by English Nature and Cheshire Wildlife.”
Only wildlife specialists are allowed to move the toads from the course and into their habitat. That’s why there was a wait at 13 to continue play — a specialist needed to come and fix the situation.
Wow. That DOES make sense. Got to protect the toads.
It’s only right! These toads are only trying to mate, man. That’s all. Honestly, it’s kind of rude to even be golfing at that point.
Imagine you trying to spit some game to your partner and then a giant white ball just comes flying in the sky out of nowhere. Actually, that sounds terrifying. Shoutout to these toads for putting up with it.
This is actually hilarious
It definitely is. Twitter thought so, too.
There’s a endangered species of toad on the 13th green that has caused a delay at the British Open because only one person can touch the toad to move it and it’s hilarious. This has @edsbs written all over it 😂😂
— JB (@jbraze23) July 22, 2023
This dissertation on a protected species of toad is something you’ll only get watching a British Open
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) July 22, 2023
BRITISH OPEN IS CURRENTLY IN A TOAD DELAY
— pretty take machine (@kidzbopwutang) July 22, 2023
dominate, king https://t.co/1CdaYPyk9V
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) July 22, 2023
"Toad Delay at the 13th Hole" were one of the more obscure Britpop bands of the mid 90s. https://t.co/tZ2vUZih4Y
— Hilary Evans (@OlympicStatman) July 22, 2023
Just when you think they can’t British any harder https://t.co/JBKyQNM6FJ
— Kris (@5kl) July 22, 2023
I woke up to this with no context on the TV. Normal sport! https://t.co/iqqYZCOEvw
— Colin Huber (@CallOnColin) July 22, 2023
And people say golf is boring https://t.co/EmDiL9R7GH
— Koala Tornado (@d_a_nich) July 22, 2023
Shoutout to the Natterjack toad, man. It’s your world, family.
