The raucous party atmosphere at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course during the WM Phoenix Open again boiled over in tense player-fan interactions during Sunday’s final round.
Summary
- Zach Johnson and Billy Horschel had angry encounters with fans during the final round of the 2023 WM Phoenix Open
- Johnson told a group of fans “I’m sick of it, just shut up” as he grew frustrated with them
- Horschel angrily told a fan to “shut the hell up” because he was yelling while Nicolo Galletti was trying to hit a shot
- Horschel said fans need to be quiet when players are hitting shots because “it’s our f****** job”
- The incidents highlight tensions between players and raucous fans at the WM Phoenix Open, known for its party atmosphere
Veterans Zach Johnson and Billy Horschel both lost their cool with vocal fans at the golf-meets-football-game event, admonishing them for distracting player shots at inopportune times.
Johnson, at one point on the back nine, had heard enough from a group of boisterous fans following his group. “I’m sick of it,” he said while walking toward them. “Just shut up.”
Horschel took even stronger exception to a fan who shouting while playing partner Nicolo Galletti stood over a shot.
“Buddy, when he’s over a shot, shut the hell up man!” Horschel barked at the fan. “He’s trying to hit a damn golf shot here – it’s our f****** job.”
The incidents put a bright spotlight on the delicate player-fan relationship at the WM Phoenix Open, which has fought to balance rowdy spectator behavior with PGA Tour standards.
While fans flock to the event in record numbers to party and take in golf’s lively atmosphere, Johnson and Horschel’s reactions showed that fans often cross the line and impact play.
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“There’s obviously nothing wrong with having a great time, but times are changing,” said Rory McIlroy about unruly fan behavior on Tour. “I think people need to be held accountable for their actions.”
For years, the WM Phoenix Open has tried to curb over-served fans whose shouting regularly impacts shots.Policies prohibit fans from yelling during player swings. But on Sunday, wayward fan etiquette was on full display.
“I get that you pay money to come watch us play golf, but there still needs to be basic etiquette policies in place,” said Xander Schauffele, who played with Horschel during his fan encounter.
Fans and alcohol have fueled the WM Phoenix Open’s explosion in popularity. Yet players are now pushing back more than ever, wanting accountability for fans and increased security protections.
“The Tour needs to put policies in place to keep fans behaving properly,” Johnson argued. “Getting yelled at over shots is unacceptable.”
For now, the Phoenix Open’s party-gone-too-far reputation persists. But greater public awareness of poor fan behavior, sparked by Johnson and Horschel’s anger, may force the event to finally clean up its act.
