News

Bubba Watson snaps back at heckler during WGC-Match Play; Should the Tour do more to stop players receiving verbal abuse?

Published

7 years ago

Mar 29, 2019

Bubba Watson isn’t enjoying the best of weeks at the WGC-Match Play in Austin, and on Thursday the two-time Masters champ was less than impressed with one golf fans attempt to heckle him.

The incident occurred on the par-4 third hole of Bubba Watson’s match against Billy Horschel. As the television audio picked up, per the Tweet embedded below, Watson’s caddie Ted Scott was the first to address the fan saying: “Hey buddy, just be quiet next time”, before Watson got more curt with the spectator.

Staring down the heckler, Watson says: “It’s funny how tough you were, then you looked away. … Everybody’s big behind the ropes and behind the computer.” Before the 40-year-old added “Look at him. He’s still trying to look cool.”

Bubba acting tough. LOL. Surprised he didn't cry a little. pic.twitter.com/b5clko7GgM

— DrinkSmokeGolf (@DrinkSmokeGolf) March 28, 2019

The incident comes off the back of a heckling controversy at the Players Championship earlier this month involving Ian Poulter. The Englishman was defiant at the time, posting this on social media in response to the abuse he received at TPC Sawgrass.

No bad comments or abuse from anyone can take away from the special time you get with your children.. It just makes you realize how special it really is to be a parent and in simple terms being a dad. I will never change. @THEPLAYERSChamp pic.twitter.com/1oiGaO39MU

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) March 19, 2019

Speaking after his opening match at this week’s WGC-Match Play, Poulter further elaborated on his thoughts concerning the abuse he received at the Players Championship, saying

“You obviously know there’s a problem if your playing partner doesn’t feel very comfortable or he apologized and said he’s embarrassed for the local support at TPC, and he apologized. So when it gets to that level that your playing partner has to apologize for fans, then obviously clearly there’s a few that stepped over the line.”

While Poulter also highlighted that the abuse he suffered was while his young family were in the crowd believing that “tt can be potentially damaging to them to hear that level of stuff,” and added that “it’s a shame it happens but unfortunately it does and hopefully we can stamp it out.”

GolfWRXers, does the Tour need to do more to stamp out hecklers on the course, or is a certain level of verbal jabbing now unavoidable and part and parcel of being a Tour pro?

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Gianni Magliocco

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected]

31 Comments

Tim

Apr 1, 2019 at 11:27 am

This is a growing trend in this country. People are becoming more and more rude. I think its started with people being rude behind the protection of their computer screens, but its now spread out to traffic on the highway and public sporting events like this.

I think the current political situation is driving it in a lot of ways. People have become inspired to be rude and petulant. That’s what has worked so well for the leader of the free world. This is going to make for a pretty crappy society to live in.

Reply Report comment
hellomcfly

Mar 31, 2019 at 10:28 pm

Now if they would only start throwing people out for yelling “Bababoooie” and “Get in the hole!”

Reply Report comment
Dave

Mar 31, 2019 at 8:49 am

The poor fan behavior puts a mark on the sport. This isn’t Da Raidas or pro wrastlin. They need a zero tolerance policy…

Reply Report comment
Johnny Penso

Mar 30, 2019 at 10:09 pm

No offense but taking away beer is a stupid suggestion. Why punish 50,000 people who are responsible with their drinking and behaviour in order to cure a handful of morons? Deal with the idiots, send a message, behaviour will change and the few malcontents will be dealt with. You’ll never eliminate them all but it’s not hard to get most.

Reply Report comment
Malcolm X

Mar 30, 2019 at 8:17 pm

It’s only an issue with the notorious jerks like Bubber, Serg, Poulter, and back in the day Norman

Reply Report comment
Allen Rawlins

Mar 30, 2019 at 9:33 am

The game of golf is about respect, integrity, character, and sportsmanship. These hecklers aren’t purist in these regards. Whether I like a player or not, when I have attended several tour events you always show respect to the person. I was at the BMW a few years ago in Carmel, IN and was at the green waiting for Tiger to hit up, and Ben Crane was on the green putting. As we all know he is slow!!!! He had a two foot putt left after his first attempt went by and he went through the same long pre shot routine. Many fans began yelling come on it’s a gimme, and others just started saying this guys a joke, and was loud enough for the players to hear. His wife and another tour wife was about five feet or so from me and she started crying wanting to know why people had to be so mean. With all that being said, zero tolerance policy should be enforced, and second they do have their girlfriends, wives, parents, and children sometimes following. This is a game of respect!!! Hecklers do not respect it.

Reply Report comment
George49

Mar 30, 2019 at 9:24 am

And one ponders why USA melts in the Ryder, toughen up butter cups. Heckle me all you want if I played pga tour for a living with endorsement deals. The tour is out of touch with the common golfer. It’s a declining sport yet the purses increase each year while
The spectator’s health insurance negates if any wage increase.

Reply Report comment
MikeyB

Mar 30, 2019 at 6:43 am

As soon as the PGA became accepting of the “Baba Booey!” “It’s in da’ hole!” and “Mashed Pa-tay-tahs!” idiots everything else was going to slowly creep into the mix. The falling down drunks, the booing beer can throwing fans at the Waste Management, etc.
Boorish behavior has become the norm at PGA events. If you had security placed near every tee, you can simply grab these morons and show them the parking lot. If it’s done ‘publicly’ then the PGA sends the message, you can have a few beverages and cheer for your guy, but don’t be a jerk about it.

Reply Report comment
CB

Mar 29, 2019 at 10:55 pm

What did the heckler say?

Reply Report comment
- MalcolmX
  
  Mar 30, 2019 at 8:19 pm
  
  How did a jerk like you win 2 Masters … something like that
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Jose Pinatas
    
    Mar 31, 2019 at 1:57 pm
    
    So the spectator was speaking the truth? How’s that heckling??
    
    Reply Report comment
TK

Mar 29, 2019 at 5:19 pm

This is pro sports fellas..a paying patron can say whatever they want in between swings..go to an nfl, nhl, mlb game..chirping is off the charts..as long as you are respectful when they are actually in pre-swing – mid swing…the fields open when these guys are walking around..they talk to spectators all the time who’s to say or watch what is being said to them..Pro golfers are so sensitive like these pussy’s shouldn’t be treated any different from any other player in any other major sports league around the world.

Reply Report comment
Shallowface

Mar 29, 2019 at 3:05 pm

I’m afraid that the more attention it’s given, the more it’s going to happen. A zero tolerance policy needs to be enforced. I’d love to see alcohol sales completely eliminated at sporting events, but we all know that’s a revenue generator and will never happen.

Reply Report comment
- cj
  
  Mar 29, 2019 at 7:16 pm
  
  Sadly, NO. College sports don’t have it and have not in quite a while. IMO sponsors putting up a huge purse make that back charging ludicrous $$$ for a beer. At a Cardinals game with AB right down the street a beer was $12. Go figure!
  
  Reply Report comment
real recognize real

Mar 29, 2019 at 2:02 pm

both ways. Tour needs to put a effort to control this and players need to stop crying.

most of these players are from the sliver spoon vs the rest of sport pro’s are from the streets.

Reply Report comment
Craig Stanton

Mar 29, 2019 at 2:01 pm

Totally out of character and inconsistent with the game of golf, golf should be better and not lower to the base ape level of other sports.

Reply Report comment
b

Mar 29, 2019 at 1:05 pm

The Tour needs to react to the hecklers sooner, rather than later when it gets worse. When hecklers are noted on video the Tour needs to send authorities to that location and remove the hecklers. It should not be up to the tour players to point out the hecklers to security, but if that what it takes – so be it.

Reply Report comment
P Triple

Mar 29, 2019 at 11:50 am

How about the tour guys toughen up and stop being cry babies? I can understand preventing the crowd from talking during a player’s swing but the rest is a minor level of heckling compared with what other professional athletes endure. At the end of the day, “sticks & stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”.

Reply Report comment
- Jeff
  
  Mar 29, 2019 at 12:43 pm
  
  How about rude loudmouths like you just stay in the bar or better yet take a class on etiquette.
  
  Reply Report comment
- DJ
  
  Mar 29, 2019 at 12:58 pm
  
  how about if you don’t have anything nice to say, stfu
  
  Reply Report comment
  - DM
    
    Mar 29, 2019 at 10:28 pm
    
    +1
    
    I volunteered at the Players and the crowd on Saturday was large, loud and as the alcohol sales escalated so did the rude and obnoxious behavior. its really too bad the alcohol sales take the enjoyment out for some. Ban it totally. There were thousands of young kids there to see their heroes and drunk obnoxious fans sure do not set good examples. Too bad the events aren’t like Augusta..They dont give a flip about PC.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Pepe Llmanos
    
    Mar 30, 2019 at 6:25 pm
    
    Hypocrisy.. I heard there gonna stone ya in America for that going forward..
    
    Reply Report comment
- Ray Gene Wood
  
  Mar 29, 2019 at 3:37 pm
  
  Maybe I come to your janitorial job and heckle you and see how you like that.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Pepe Llmanos
    
    Mar 30, 2019 at 6:26 pm
    
    More Hypocrisy… I stone you.
    
    Reply Report comment
- gdb99
  
  Mar 29, 2019 at 4:49 pm
  
  Except when a played breaks a rib. Isn’t that what happened to John Daley? Tried stopping his swing while being heckled?
  
  Reply Report comment
S

Mar 29, 2019 at 11:21 am

The Tour should
Stop selling alcohol.
Stop associating with alcohol companies.
Stop advertising alcohol at events.

Reply Report comment
T

Mar 29, 2019 at 11:06 am

There just needs to be a zero tolerance policy for situations like that. The tour needs to take notes on how AGNGC handles their event.

Reply Report comment
dat

Mar 29, 2019 at 10:08 am

It is all alcohol related. I’ve seen people falling down drunk at these events, no better than an NFL game. Kick them out.

Reply Report comment
Allen Wilson

Mar 29, 2019 at 9:53 am

Quit selling beer at events and most of the over the top heckling will go away….but nobody wants to give up the revenue.

Reply Report comment
- Yup
  
  Mar 29, 2019 at 2:10 pm
  
  Spot on here!!!! Its all about the $$$$$ to the event sponsors and PGA Tour!
  
  Reply Report comment
forgedforever

Mar 29, 2019 at 9:25 am

The Tour needs to start tossing people, simple as that. Identify and toss. Word will get around. Never, ever, take the attitude that so-called “verbal jabbing” is the new norm or it will get further out of control.

Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

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8 hours ago

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GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

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Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

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Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

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Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

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Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

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Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

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Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase