The WM Phoenix Open’s reputation has hit an all-time low! The event was known for going against the Super Bowl and still racking in millions of fans. But it has devolved into a nightmare for the PGA Tour. The weather conditions are making it hard to play a complete round there. However, the weather has not been the only bothering factor this year!
Some fans are causing chaos after alcohol consumption, leading officials to stop serving it. Now it looks like the chaos is also getting to the PGA Tour players. Why you may wonder? Well, all thanks to the 2023 American Ryder Cup skipper, and Billy Horschel, losing their cool, that this has come to light!
A fan called out Zach Johnson by saying, “Guess being an a**hole doesn’t help,” after shooting his ball wide right. He was then heard yelling, “I am just sick of it. Just sh** up” after he was taunted by fans. The golfer then walked off.
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INBOX: “Zach Johnson can not take the heat after being an absolute dick to fans before his tee shot. Then shanks his ball wide right and does this when a fan says “guess being an asshole doesn’t help”” pic.twitter.com/bvfh5NCdnT
— Old Row Golf (@OldRowGolf) February 11, 2024
“Buddy when he is focused on the shot sh** the he** up! It’s our f***** job” Horschel was heard shouting. The instance happened when the golfer was walking by, and he witnessed a fan yelling at the golfer who was trying to hit a backswing. The fans to whom Horschel said what he said, laughed it off as they seemed to be caught by surprise. When fans thought the 2024 WM Phoenix Open could not fall further, it hit a new low.
ZJ wasn’t the only one fed up with the WMPO gallery.
Billy Ho let someone hear it for yelling in a backswing too: pic.twitter.com/QuhzwzMxl7
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) February 11, 2024
As per the 2022–23 PGA Tour Player Handbook and Tournament Regulation, players are prohibited from drinking during tournaments. But that is not the case for fans. As a result, alcohol became a catalyst for rowdy behavior at this year’s WM Phoenix Open.
2024 WM Phoenix Open descends to chaos
Hole 16 at TPC Scottsdale holds the title of being the ‘Loudest hole in Golf’. This is due to a 17,000 seating capacity mini-stadium surrounding the hole. Furthermore, it is also the place where Tiger Woods aced a hole in one shot. But in 2024, the place became a center of chaos as many drunk fans entered the greens. A fan was even spotted making snow angels in the bunker. Another was spotted gliding through the roughs.
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Read More: ‘Sloppy Drunkenness’: Golf World Reacts As Weird WM Phoenix Open Fan Moment Goes Viral
Following this, officials were forced to temporarily shut down the gates of the stadium and suspend alcohol sales. Reportedly, police arrested people who were causing mayhem on the golf course. Naturally, players will feel upset over this commotion as it is interfering with their jobs. Sahith Theegala tried to calm things down by saying the event is “a blast, even if some people aren’t the best drunks.”
On the other hand, Byeong-Hun An expressed a strongly worded comment about these rowdy fans, calling them “totally out of control”. However, the players not handling the heat has also added to the commotion on the greens. What are your thoughts on this unfortunate situation? Let us know in the comments section below.
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