‘Sick of it’: Zach Johnson loses temper with fans on final day at Phoenix Open
Former US Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson was involved in an angry altercation with spectators on the final day of the WM Phoenix Open.
Johnson, 47, was filmed protesting with fans at TPC Scottsdale and could be heard saying, “I’m sick of this” before demanding they “just shut up.”
The clip, posted on social media, did not reveal what prompted the 2023 US Ryder Cup captain to lose his cool, although in a separate incident on Sunday another US player, Billy Horschel, protested to a spectator because he called as one of his playing partners, qualifier Nicolo Galletti, was about to hit a shot.
“Buddy, if he’s past a shot, shut up man,” Horschel shouted. “He’s trying to hit a damn golf shot here – it’s our damn job.”
The Phoenix Open is by far the most attended golf tournament, but the behavior of some fans has once again attracted more attention than the golf itself. One man was arrested after jumping over the ropes and diving into a green-side bunker on the par-three 16th, where he then performed ‘snow angels’ in the sand.
Tournament officials were forced to close spectator gates ahead of schedule after being overwhelmed by attendances and alcohol sales were temporarily halted.
Former BMW PGA Championship winner Byeong Hun An took to social media to brand the event a “shitshow” that was “completely out of control on every hole.” He added: “I’ve played here several times over the years and it’s been fine to this day.”
On the course, Nick Taylor rode a late wave to secure his fifth PGA Tour title on the second hole of a playoff against Charley Hoffman.
The Canadian birdied three of his last four holes on Sunday to force a play-off against American Hoffman, who rose to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 64 in the fourth round.
After each man birdied the first extra hole, Hoffman left his birdie attempt short, leaving the window open for Taylor to sink a birdie putt from 11 feet and clinch the title to round out a hectic final day to close.