Has this PGA TOUR Event Finally Gone TOO FAR?

The WM Phoenix Open has been met with sharp criticism for the excessive rowdiness on display at this year's event, leaving us wondering if "The People's Open" has finally gone too far.
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[@dereckguilfoyle1219]

The slippery slope here is gambling, betting on a guy winning a hole or even the tournament and then yelling in the other players backswings. I dont know the answer to this, just pointing out a problem.

[@oahujuniorgolfassociationc6656]

No doubt.

[@CamMacMastermusic]

Very good point ! Probably the most serious issue of all.

[@safranic]

Here’s the way I look at it. The PGA tour is nowhere near any other American sport when it comes to attendance and viewership especially in the post Tiger Woods era so the fact that they were able to get 200,000 people to come out and watch golf per day on Saturday and Sunday is a blessing. Having 200,000 people pay admission means a few pros have to have a little chatter during their golf swing. I think they’ll be OK. I’m a single digit handicap in the foursome that I consistently play with never stops talking and it’s affected about 0% of my shots or pets for that matter. If you wanna be thought of as a professional athlete, then be mentally tougher, like the dudes at the free-throw line or the kickers, attempting to make a kick to take the Super Bowl into overtime. Some people are so privileged they don’t actually realize how good their life really is and how quickly it could go away. I am 100% on the side of the fans on this one.

[@PetSKi67]

Well, there are required manners in individual sports, but also different culture. Tennis and golf are close to each others, but athletics totally the opposite. I think team sports cannot in a sense be compared. Thing to me however is, what is accustomed in certain sport is not in others. In field athletics there is loud crowds, but usually, when the 100 m dash is about to start the 50’-100’000 people go silent like magic, but right after the gun it bursts out again. Fan base is quite different compared to team sports also, which make it different in teams events and sports, Ryder Cup is a perfect comparision to an NFL game or NHL and I would imagine MBL as well. People falling off a grand stand is not ok in any event and such I heard happening this year at the WMP. That’s not, what I would think a good party athmosphere needs.

[@oahujuniorgolfassociationc6656]

The change I would make is better Tour leadership. I’m guessing Monahan never had a party in his parents house. Or went to many big rowdy concerts. What’s funny is how many Liv things would have helped at WM: MUSIC, shotgun starts, the commissioner being there, more famous players being there, and more. Right now Liv looks closer to the masters than the pga tour. The stacking cups thing for example is really a Masters tradition in golf, because beers are very fair priced as are concession in general, BUT the fans understand the line and the consequence so there is almost never a problem. I don’t think that’s happening at WM. The pga tour as usual has no idea what it wants. Do they want to be more like the masters or LIv or Woodstock? Based on how this tour has been run for a while now, this big party is more likely to end up like the second Woodstock than the first. IMO.

[@ericjencson9489]

A golf tournament is not supposed to be about getting inebriated and acting like you're in Animal House.

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

This isn’t on Jay lol. The firebirds are the tournament runners

[@oahujuniorgolfassociationc6656]

@@Jackielikeskillersmilesit’s on both. Monahan has most responsibility to the players who he left hanging. Again. To the integrity of a golf tournament. This is a PGA Tour event. It’s on Monahans office first and foremost to make sure this party doesn’t get too far away from a golf event. The TBirds have Been doing the rounds taking their accountability. Monahan as usual won’t be seen.

[@MikeSoutham]

hmm.... the Party Hole in LIV Adelaide was fine and had no rubbish like we saw this past weekend at the WMPO. Yes beer and cups were thrown when Chase got his Ace (I was there) but the atmosphere was friendly and people were still drinking heavily as it was hot that weekend. Australians are bulit different though. Not one player was negatively heckled that I saw (and I was in line with the tee block). All the spectators was encouaraging all the players etc.

[@billbkr32ify]

Stop trying to turn golf into something it is not and has never been. Period.

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

But they so desperately are trying bc Liv made the PGA believe the have to compete and change for the “product” to attract a younger generation. It’s annoying bc there was nothing wrong with how golf the was

[@billbkr32ify]

@@Jackielikeskillersmiles very true

[@SasquachGolf]

I think you could remove the GA stands and just let people stand at ground level at 16 (aside from all the suites & paid seats). We all saw the crowd for Tigers hole in one and there was still a vibe but it would help eliminate the morning run and probably encourage more people to walk around instead of just hanging out at 16 ALLLL day.

[@oahujuniorgolfassociationc6656]

For me the corporate grandstands does not impress me like when it was organic.

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

@@oahujuniorgolfassociationc6656agreed. But they don’t make money that way!

[@bombacalabrese6041]

People could also just not be degenerates and there would be very little problems at all

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

Yep. But it’s becoming mob mentality out there with young losers who don’t know how to drink responsibly

[@Chris54321]

Right or wrong if it continues like this, many of the top golfers may just skip the event. It is different for baseball, basketball, football, hockey.....they don't choose their schedule. It also makes me remember the US open at Los Angeles Country Club. They bought up the tickets and only distributed a fraction to fans to avoid a bunch of people making a mess of things. That was a bad look to the other extreme . Like anything, there are always people that cross the line and wreck it for everyone else.

[@chevy4x466]

There weren’t too many top golfers there, most of em were on liv. When Rory isn’t at a pgat event, the field looks pretty empty

[@Chris54321]

@@chevy4x466 I am not a Rory fan. I wish him no ill will, but I don't mind when he sits out. Last week he was 15 strokes off the lead and still they showed every shot.

[@chevy4x466]

@@Chris54321 I am not a fan either. But I think at this point he is their best player. He has more personality than chef ler

[@craigcrawford6749]

The top golfers already skip this event. They're on LIV

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

Or they can switch it to a elevated event like it was last year and make the top players come regardless

[@LawdawgB]

This has always been one of my favorite tournaments to watch but I think with the success they’ve had with the 16th hole and letting that spill over into the rest of the course has took its toll. Keep that mystique to the 16th for what the tournament has grown to be known for not every hole on the course. If they heckle a golfer outside of 16 they should be removed from the course.

[@hoodieman04]

this weekend was an embarrassment

[@HamishCarpenter]

Agreed!

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

And the guy who runs this event admitted so on Golf channel with Rex and Todd Lewis. They are definitely making changes for next year

[@upanddownfor5961]

A lot of interesting comments in this thread and also by the podcasters. Just make sure you remember your same stance when Bethpage and the Ryder Cup come around.

[@thomasS9676]

Why are they heckling, which golfers are hated? in other sports, players that are heckled are usually hated!! To do it during someones backswing is not acceptable. The hand eye coordination, the entire body motion in golf is more emphasized than any other major sport. Every aspect that makes up the swing has to be in perfect timing to make a great shot!!

[@wastefulungratfuls]

They're gambling on the outcome of who wins the hole... Heckling the ones you've not vetted on benefits the heckler...

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

Agreed

[@thomasS9676]

This is why this should not be allowed, indirectly it's an advantage to some and not others. thats why players cannot gamble on their own team, I'm not sure if they can even gamble on their sport (professional sport). @@wastefulungratfuls

[@fredlaskowskiAzIrish]

People at the Ryder Cup may boo on the 1st hole but they respect golf and appreciate it. I think the culture that is being cultivated at the WM is something far different unfortunately

[@davidmassery1962]

I say this with complete sarcasm here! Are we not missing the point? What is ruining the game of golf is those ungreatful pros hitting the ball over 300 yards. Our focus needs to be centered on stopping that so us normal people will feel better about our pathetic game.

[@darylharrison4758]

We don't need to make excuses for people to be jerks. Heckling is one thing being as ass is another. And drunk people have no place as this stuff. Again its a family event.

[@Daniel-36]

I’ve heard someone describe it as “a party with a golf tournament going alongside it”. Personally I think the WM open event organizers should be embarrassed because it got so out of hand. When you have no one to enforce rules, you get chaos and that’s what happened

[@PetSKi67]

At a rock show or festival, I think today there is really security officials removing people going overboard.

[@HamishCarpenter]

LIV is looking better and better.

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

You’re joking. Liv wishes they could have this atmosphere every tournament. Yet they fail with barely any people in attendance

[@petrusvanbiljon4130]

Seems like the spectators did not apply wasted management.

[@charlesoverton]

The LIV is criticize for being loud. Now look at the PGA.

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

Liv isn’t loud. No one is there 😂

[@Bad_Gnasher]

Best event on tour, just look at the huge viewing figures. Darts is definitely not silent 😂

[@GolfRx]

It’s an outlet for golfer! Let WM be what it is, PGA has to better job! More volunteers more security

[@larryverdugo3553]

It’s exactly what they wanted. That’s why they add more stadium seating every year.

[@redgolfredgolfer172]

It's not a rock concert but at Golf Game that's it!

[@Noeau]

The pga creates the atmosphere promoting the 16 hole, builds the grandstands, revels the beer cup throwing, but then doesn’t it like when it turns out of control. The event attracts more non golfers that doesn’t respect the game or ettiquette and just wants an over the top party atmosphere. What do you expect what happened happens? Yes more top golfers may start to skip the event and circus.

[@madcitydan6082]

Was there. 70% of the people there would not know the difference between a golf club and a fishing pole. College frat party. Minority was there for golf. Partying is fun and has a place but this was way over the line.

[@glennwatson3313]

Since when is the fire department in charge of alcohol sales?

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

The tournament director called for no more alcohol sales after they realized fire dept and police couldn’t react to the crowded areas once there were too many people. He explained this with Todd Lewis and Rex on golf central

[@ronhess3013]

I donmind a pgood party, and on one hole it’s ok. When yelling and rowdy behavior starts moving to the whole course it becomes a problem. I blame TV, media for making 16 “THE” open bar, even having announcers taking part and encouraging rowdies. It’s simply gotten too big and control is being lost. The determination will be if the players quit coming, then it’s done. Personally I was completely disappointed bybthe tv coverage because it became a “16 hole event” and that sucked.

[@kenjamintennessee2593]

You gotta keep people hydrated, more water bottles

[@cledesma135]

Hoping for a Malice at the Palace of PGA

[@dcb5176]

The weekend was a disaster from a view standpoint and I can only assume many of the players were disgusted too."Rock concert"...this is golf not a gathering of a bunch of drugged/drunk fans.

[@HamishCarpenter]

No. I was there Friday and Sunday - Friday was a complete sh**show! I have been here for the past 12 years - this is the worst group,of fans I have ever seen. This is still a gentlemen’s sport - respect the players doing their job. I live here and may not return if things don’t change.

[@ericjencson9489]

This wouldn't even fly at a LIV event. The PGA is supposed to be better than LIV.

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

Oh shut up

[@atfinthehouse8631]

And these same fans criticize the Liv?

[@gsf23]

The big problem is that probably 80% of the people there dont really care about the golf.

[@billyburroo]

The reason why it got so out of control was because of the lack of interest in the golfers playing U pay for entertainment without all the best players there they have let it go

[@dougie6897]

If you want etiquette, good manners and established players just watch LIV instead.

[@user-ep7sn1dc2x]

The crowds are out of hand. precedent has been set. This is a golf tournament that will lose players in the future.

[@toddm7683]

Developing a future AA culture.

[@jimmyculp8756]

The guy in the black cap has NO FREAKING CLUE! U CANNOT YELL OR SCREAM in someones backswing! He is most likely the kind that used airhorns around his local muni? P.S. let the other guy say a word ever once in a while?????????

[@gsf23]

Not gonna be a tourney if the top players decide not to play because they dont want to deal with the shitshow.

[@juvenalsaldana8672]

It’s a Not all you can drink it’s 10 drinks max the issues come from the none tent people the cops will tell you that. I go every year am a Phoenix local the gate opens at 7am and they start selling at 9am

[@oahujuniorgolfassociationc6656]

Blame the little people !

[@juvenalsaldana8672]

@@oahujuniorgolfassociationc6656 it’s not all the people! People just need to be responsible and not stupid

[@oahujuniorgolfassociationc6656]

@@juvenalsaldana8672yes but 10 Drinks is basically all you can drink. Which is fine but those serving 10 drinks to a person need to control them. A woman fell out of a corporate box at 16. It’s not just the little people outside. That sounds elitist. But it’s also not true.

[@juvenalsaldana8672]

Why do we blame the event what happened to being responsible for your self? And the lady falling was on Friday not Saturday and it happened early in the day!!

[@oahujuniorgolfassociationc6656]

@@juvenalsaldana8672ok that makes me feel better that people were falling out of the “coliseum” Friday at lunch time. The organizers are responsible for people’s safety. Most of these attendees are giant babies. I saw many things that were dangerous without having anything to do with drinking. Nowhere to walk without falling. Overcrowding. Losing control of ticketing and security. The thunderbirds have already been doing the rounds and apologizing and taking accountability. We still have heard nothing from Monahan but when we do I’m sure it will be a memo that covers his you know that. Meanwhile Shark was out there all week partying with the people because he created a party that’s also a safe environment for kids, women, elders, handicapped. Even string healthy people were not assured a safe experience at wm.

[@billfairless6256]

When you promote an event as a 4 day pissup don't act surprised when it turns out like a sixties pop festival.

[@craigmoy5428]

PGAT's annus horribilis...... LIV getting Rham, Hatton and recognition from more former and never LIV'ers inc Rory about its product value and superior presentation.... Meanwhile PGAT events are won by nobodies, rained out, delayed and embarassed by the face of PGAT in Phoenix. Not sure paying chunks of cash to hold onto the top 50 players from SSG, is really the long term saviour for PGAT with fans or sponsors. Can't see the WM s#itshow and the rest inspiring sponsors to cough for elevated prize money.. Throw in the sad death of Chubs and it really is a rough year for PGAT.

[@cynt1111]

Americans ruining this great old game.

[@jimlangdon1947]

Sure enjoy LIV. The PGA looks like a minor league - at least top PGA players can advance to LIV making the PGA a feeder league for International Tours now.😀

[@brianmoncion6723]

It's ridiculous. How far do you go to gain viewers? If the NASCAR crowd is your demographic then good job. Look at at LIV...playing golf with rave beats...pro golf has lost its origins..not always the best but you get what I mean.

[@skipcampbell239]

i love the wm .the masters is like a damm funeral...

[@brianwalker4760]

Its not a tour problem. Its a bro dude problem.

[@travishimself1973]

They tried to compete with LIV and failed

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

Are you stupid? Just states watching golf last week! This tournament has been around for 20+ years. And LIV was modeled after it !!😂😂😂 Dolt!

[@reprif7630]

Last year they sold 4.6 million alcoholic beverages. That’s way north of $50 million in sales.

[@ericjencson9489]

Alcohol changes everything. These guys are trying to make a living and drunk asses get in the way.

[@fredlaskowskiAzIrish]

You think this is growing the game with this demographic? No, a good percentage of people are going there to drink and get drunk. Could care less about golf.

[@jamestaylor5231]

What a class act the pga is or the new JV’s,wow what have the haters and hackers become,LIV is the only top shelf golf now.