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

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5 years ago

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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.”

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.

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

31 Comments

31 Comments

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

    • 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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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News

Five Things We Learned: Friday at the PGA Championship

Published

7 hours ago

on

May 18, 2024

By

Early on Friday morning, a vendor working for the PGA Championship was struck and killed by a tournament shuttle bus. Nearly at the same time, as he arrived for his second round of tournament play, Scottie Scheffler attempted to detour around the scene, and was arrested, booked, then released. Somehow, Scheffler returned to Valhalla and played his second round of the tournament. Despite the jokes and memes of some in the golf industry, the tournament took a back seat to life and humanity on Friday morning. Our prayers are with the family and friends of the vendor, as well as with all involved.

Day two of Valhalla’s fourth PGA Championship did not see a repeat of the record-setting 62 posted by first-day leader, Xander Schauffele. The low card of 65 was returned by five golfers, when play was suspended by darkness. Five golfers still on the course, were on the positive side of the expected cut line of one-under par, while 12 more either had work to do, or knew that their week had come to an end.

The best 70 golfers and ties would advance to the weekend. 64 golfers figured at minus-two on Friday evening, with another 15 at one-under par. The most likely scenario saw those at even par, headed home. The formula was simple: finish under par and stick around. Play resumed at 7:15 on Saturday, to sort through the last six threesomes. Before the night turned over, we learned five important things to set us up for a weekend of excitement and excellence. It’s a pleasure to share them with you.

1. The 65s

On Thursday, three golfers etched 65 into the final box on their card of play. On Friday, nearly twice that number finished at six-under par for the round. Collin Morikawa moved from top-five into a spot in the final pairing. The 2020 PGA Champion at Harding Park teed off at the tenth hole, and turned in minus-two. He then ran off five consecutive birdies from the fourth tee to the eighth green, before finding trouble at the ninth, his last hole of the day. Bogey at nine dropped him from -12 to -11.

The same score moved Bryson DeChambeau from 11th spot to T4. Joining the pair with 65s on day two were Matt Wallace and Hideki Matsuyama (each with 70-65 for T11) and Lee Hodges (71-65 for T16.) Morikawa, Matsuyama, and DeChambeau have major championship wins in their names, while Wallace has been on the when to break through list his entire career. Hodges epitomizes the term journeyman, bu the PGA Championship is the one major of them all when lesser-known challegers find a way to break through.

2. The Corebridge team of PGA Professionals

Last year’s Cinderella story, Michael Block, did not repeat his Oak Hill success. Block missed the cut by a fair amount. Of the other 19, however, two were poised to conclude play and reach the weekend’s play. Braden Shattuck had finished at one-under par, while Jeremy Wells (-2) and Ben Polland (-1) were inside the glory line, each with two holes to play.

With three holes to play on the front nine, Kyle Mendoza sits at even par. His task is simple: play the final triumvirate in one-under par or better. If Mendoza can pull off that feat, and if the aforementioned triumvirate can hold steady, the club professional segment of the tournament will have four representatives in play over the weekend.

3. Scottie Scheffler

In his post-round interview, Scheffler admitted that his second round, following the surreal nature of the early morning’s events, was made possible by the support he received from patrons and fellow competitors. The new father expressed his great sadness for the loss of life, and also praised some of the first responders that had accompanied him in the journey from course to jail cell. Yes, jail cell. Scheffler spoke of beginning his warm-up routine with jail-house stretches.

Once he returned to Valhalla, Scheffler found a way to a two-under, opening nine holes. He began birdie-bogey-birdie on holes ten through twelve, then eased into a stretch of pars, before making birdie at the par-five 18th. His second nine holes featured three birdies and six pars, allowing him to improve by one shot from day one. Scheffler found himself in a fourth-place tie with Thomas Detry, and third-round tee time in the third-last pairing. Scheffler’s poise illustrated grace under pressure, which is the only way that he could have reached this status through 36 holes.

4. Sahith!

It’s a little bit funny that the fellow who followed 65 with 67, is nowhere to be found on the video highlight reels. He’s not alone in that respect, as Thomas Detry (T4) was also ignored by the cameras. Theegala has won on tour, and has the game to win again. The Californian turned in four-under par on Friday, then made an excruciating bogey at the par-five tenth. He redeemed himself two holes later, with birdie at the twelfth hole.

Theegala is an unproven commodity in major events. He has one top-ten finish: the 2023 Masters saw him finish 9th. He did tie for 40th in 2023, in this event, at Oak Hill. Is he likely to be around on Sunday? Yes. Will he be inside the top ten? If he is, he has a shot on Sunday. If Saturday is not a 67 or better, Theegala will not figure in the outcome of the 2024 championship.

5. X Man!!

After the fireworks of day one, Xander Schauffele preserved his lead at the 2024 PGA Championship. He holds a one-shot advantage and will tee off in the final pairing on Saturday, with Collin Morikawa. Eleven holes into round two, Schauffele made his first bogey of the week. The stumble stalled his momentum, as he had played the first ten holes in minus-four. Will the run of seven pars at the end signal a negative turn in the tide of play for Schauffele? We’ll find out on day three. One thing is for sure: minus twelve will not win this tournament. Schauffele will likely need to reach twenty under par over the next two days, to win his first major title.

 

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Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla

Published

1 day ago

on

May 17, 2024

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As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police on the way to Valhalla Golf Club this morning due to a traffic misunderstanding.

“Breaking News: World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police in handcuffs after a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to his attempt to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club. The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car, and Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla. The police officer then began to scream at Scheffler to get out of the car.

“When Scheffler exited the vehicle, the officer shoved Scheffler against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. He is now being detained in the back of a police car.”

Darlington also posted a video of the dramatic moment which you can view below:

There was an unrelated accident at around 5am, which is what may have caused some of the misunderstanding of which traffic was moving.

Speaking on ESPN, Darlington broke down exactly what he witnessed in full detail:

“Entering Valhalla Golf Club this morning, we witness a car pull around us that was Scottie Scheffler. Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police officers, placed in the back of a police vehicle in handcuffs after he tried to pull around what he believed to be security, ended up being police officers.

“They told him to stop, when he didn’t stop, the police officer attached himself to the vehicle, and Scheffler then travelled another 10 yards before stopping the car.”

“The police officer then grabbed at his arm, attempting to pull him out of the car, before Scheffler eventually opened the door, at which point the police officer pulled Scheffler out of the car, pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back in handcuffs.

“Very stunned about what was happening, he looked towards me as he was in those handcuffs and said ‘please help me’. He very clearly didn’t know what was happening in the situation.”

“It moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively. He was detained in that police vehicle for approximately 20 minutes. The police officers at that point did not understand that Scottie Scheffler was a golfer in the tournament, nor of course that he is the number one player in the world.”

Due to the accident, play has been delayed this morning. Scheffler’s current tee time for the second round of the PGA Championship is 10:08 a.m.

Scheffler’s mugshot following the incident:

*Update*

Scheffler has been charged with 2nd Degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief 3rd degree, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.

*Update*

According to ESPN+, Scottie Scheffler has been released and is now on his way to the golf course.

*Update*

Scottie Scheffler arrives at Valhalla ahead of his 10:08 a.m second round tee time.

*Update*

The PGA of America released this statement regarding the fatal accident, which diverted traffic at Valhalla this morning.

“This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.” 

Per the PGA Tour, Scheffler released the following statement.

We will update this developing story as more information on the situation is revealed.

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Five Things We Learned: Thursday at the PGA Championship

Published

2 days ago

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May 16, 2024

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It was a year ago that we the north, found ourselves with toes and fingers crossed. The Oak Hill PGA Championship of 2023 finished on schedule, despite the iffiness of weather in upstate New York. It’s 75 degrees today across the Niagara Frontier, which makes it two out of three (2022 was the same way) for sultry, unseasonal weather.

Louisville is, let’s be honest, a much better bet for a May PGA Championship, and Valhalla is an exciting venue for the year’s second major championship on the men’s circuit. Brooks Koepka came in as the defending champion, and Rory McIlroy arrived as the last golfer to win a major at the Nicklaus-designed course. That was a decade ago, and lord, have things changed in the world and golf.

Day one at Valhalla offered walk-in eagles, buckets of birdies, and potential for a record-low, winner’s score. We’ll get right to the meat of the matter, with five things that we learned. After all, if you can make par from the muck, anything’s possible in the land of the horses.

1. X marks this spot

Xander Schauffele went head-to-head last Sunday with Rory McIlroy, at least on the practice green. By the end of the round, Rors had won for a fourth time at Charlotte, while the X Man sat scratching his head, wondering what went wrong. Fortunately for us, Xander didn’t sulk.

The San Diego State alumnus absolutely torched Jack’s track with 62. Four birdies on the front nine, were followed by five more on the inward side. Schauffele never looked as if bogey was a consideration, and he might have gone even lower. Despite winning the Covid-delayed Gold medal at the Japan Olympics (I consider it a major, btdubs) Schauffele continues to chase an initial men’s major, and the validation that it brings. If 62 doesn’t get you over the hump, who knows what will.

2. Scottie starts strong? Aye.

Last month, Mr. Scheffler won a second green jacket at Augusta National. Last year in Rochester, Mr. Scheffler tied for second in this event. Mr. Scheffler began play today with a walk-in eagle, a one-hop affair that never looked as if it might go anywhere but to its home. Scheffler had a few rough holes, but that’s to be expected from a new dad. Each time he made bogey, he bounced back with birdie, so he has that short memory that winners crave. Surprisingly, Scheffler failed to manage one last birdie at the reachable 18th. Perhaps that miss will motivate him in round two.

3. LIV Check-In

It’s good to check in on the departed from time to time, to ensure that the fellows formerly known as PGA Tour members are doing well. It’s safe to say that some of them can still play. Defending champion Brooks Koepka posted 67 on the day, He had an eagle and three birdies on the day, with only a stumble at the 17th. He’s tied for 7th. Bryson DeChambeau made an eagle of his own, but also had a bogey, at the 12th hole. He cohabits eleventh position with Cameron Smith, who ALSO had a bogey on his card. They are one shot behind Koepka, and a fistful more behind the leader.

4. Sahith and Tony at Schauffele’s heels

Both Finau and Theegala represent a special sort of athletic golfer. Their power and their charisma blend to draw golf fans to their groups. Let’s be honest, too, and say that they don’t look like the traditional professional golfer. As much as Tiger Woods did in the 1990s, they have the power to bring greater diversity to the sport.

In terms of their play today, well, only Xander was better. Finau had a clean card, with six birdies and twelve pars. Theegala had seven birdies, ten pars, and one bogey. Each combined power and finesse to insert themselves squarely in contention, ahead of round two. How will they, and Xander as well, manage the afternoon putting surface on Friday? That’s the great unknown!

5. All those other guys are here!

Rory, Tom Kim, Collin, and Viktor are all at minus-three or lower. Valhalla may not be a traditional golf course, but it is the type of course that the world’s best play well. McIlroy currently sits at minus-five, tied with Robert MacIntyre, Kim, and three others in fourth position.  Maverick McNealy finished fast to reach the same figure, as did Tom Hoge. Morikawa closed with birdie to join the sextet at five below. Both Scheffler and Morikawa finished their rounds late on Thursday, meaning they should see smoother greens on Friday morning. If someone is a betting soul, wiser wagers could not be placed on better names than those two, two-time, major champions. Rory will tee off in Friday’s afternoon wave but, hey, he’s Rory, and he won going away last week at Quail Hollow, a course not unlike Valhalla.

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