Zach Johnson (wrongly) and Billy Horschel (rightfully) confronted hecklers at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open
The People's Open isn't for everybody
The People’s Open is certainly not for everyone. Sometimes that includes the players and sometimes it’s the fans.
During a rainy week for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, where officials temporarily cut off alcohol sales and closed the entrance gates, both the golfers and spectators had their share of lowlights.
First up: Zach Johnson, who is still routinely receiving criticism for his decisions as 2023 United States Ryder Cup captain. On Saturday, videos captured Johnson getting fed up with fans after hitting a tee shot. According to social media accounts, Johnson shouted something to the fans as he approached the tee box, then shanked the ensuing shot, leading someone in the gallery to yell “guess being an [expletive] doesn’t help]”.
That sent Johnson straight over to the ropes for a confrontation.
Johnson has played this event 14 times and knows the deal. For him to lose his cool a bit shows you how different a scenario this was. That said, he should also know better. This is the one tournament every year where fans are allowed to let the pros hear it when they goof — as opposed to nearly every other sport where that’s the norm. After hitting a bad shot, Johnson should’ve just put his head down and left the area.
On the other hand, Billy Horschel confronting a fan who was yelling during Nicolo Galletti’s swing feels a bit more warranted.
Warning: NSFW Language
#HORSCHEL UNLOADS ON FAN AT WMPO — “He’s trying to hit a damn golf shot here – it’s our f-ing job!” pic.twitter.com/859Oj7odcU
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) February 11, 2024
There’s a really fine line at this event, which evidently becomes harder to find each year. Go to TPC Scottsdale expecting a party, of course, but doing something as basic as waiting five seconds before yelling when someone is taking a shot is hardly asking much at all.
It’s entirely understandable Horschel would look out for his playing partner. And it makes you wonder if this incredibly successful event is overdue for some tweaks to make sure it stays that way.