USA Today via Reuters
May 8, 2022; Potomac, Maryland, USA; Max Homa looks on from the 9th green during the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 8, 2022; Potomac, Maryland, USA; Max Homa looks on from the 9th green during the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that the crowd at the 16th at TPC Scottsdale doesn’t hide their feelings. Beer showers are as expected as boos and jeers from the strand. Ask Jordan Spieth. The 30-year-old was booed when he missed a birdie putt on the 16th. Although Spieth said, “They (the crowd) were awesome,” Max Homa brought up the issue on X (formerly Twitter).
Homa tweeted, “The highlight of the fans from the week: Thursday on 16 Spieth made a bogey and a group of dudes chanted “overrated”. Within 3 seconds the rest of the crowd started to boo them for the blasphemy. Even the savages have rules” Unfortunately, that started another round of war of words between the PGA Tour Pro and fans, who pointed out it was a cock and bull story.
Max Homa irks netizens while defending Spieth
Some fans said that there were no boos from the other side of the strand. They claimed that Homa was putting his own spin on what actually transpired on the greens. Although Spieth did hear the jeers on Thursday after one of his drives landed in a sand bunker, Homa was talking about the second round.
No, no they didn’t. Oh they did chant “overrated” but they didn’t boo the chanters. But it makes for a good story so you could finish with “even the savages have rules”.
— Hossticklephifer (@hossticklefifer) February 11, 2024
Once countered by fans, the PGA Tour Pro, famous for his online wit, gave it back to the users in kind. The seven-time PGA Tour winner wrote, “They absolutely did and I know this because I was standing on the green and heard the exchange hence the previous anecdote. Have a nice night, Hossticklephifer.”
That, however, didn’t stop the back-and-forth. Some netizens pointed out that Homa was making up the story to back rowdy fans after reports emerged that one of them got arrested for a brawl with police. Others pointed out that Homa is trying to find solace after missing the cut. “If you didn’t make the cut don’t blame the fans,” commented one user. The Scottsdale resident carded even par 142 to miss the cut, a first since the Travelers Championship in June.
U can’t read https://t.co/e4guNfimSt
— max homa (@Maxhoma) February 11, 2024
The fiery exchange was symptomatic of what transpired in Scottsdale on Saturday. The moving day was suspended due to low light at 6.11 p.m. But more than on-course activities, which were slow and tepid, off-course shenanigans took center stage.
A wild, raucous day at WM Phoenix Open
The ‘People’s Open’ almost turned into a ‘People’s Nightmare’ by 2 PM on Saturday. A drunk fan was arrested for a brawl with Spieth’s securities. One fan fell down from the strands and was quickly rescued by Thunderstorm volunteers. For the first time in history, the organizers were forced to shut the gates due to overcrowding.
The third round was postponed to Sunday morning. It is unlikely that the final round will be completed on Sunday, making a Monday finish increasingly likely unless the Tour decides to declare a 54-hole winner the Tournament champion. Nick Taylor and Sahith Theegala, the leaderboard toppers after Saturday, have 11 holes left to play. Both were on the seventh green when the blaring horns announced the suspension of the third round at the WM Phoenix Open.
