Waste Management Phoenix Open reaction: PGA Tour fans slammed as 'totally out of control'
The WM Phoenix Open is known as The People's Open.
Some of those people were out of control at the 2024 event, which concluded Sunday at TPC Scottsdale.
And some pro golfers sounded off on it after the event.
Byeong Hun An, who finished tied for 66th at 1-under for the tournament was especially harsh in his remarks about the fan behavior, taking to social media to blast this year's tournament.
In response to a post asking what people thought of Saturday at The WM Phoenix Open, An replied: "S---shows. Totally out of control on every hole."
He wasn't done.
An called out fans for yelling before golfers hit the ball and expressed his disappointment in other unruly fan behavior in a series of posts.
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Booing after shots are fine.
There are lots of people yelling before hitting it. https://t.co/IBkgtMRLGA— Byeong Hun An (@ByeongHunAn) February 11, 2024
Yes i know what I signed up for. Played here multiple times over the years and it was fine until today 🤷♂️ it’s just personal experience https://t.co/Bz6YWYpkxT
— Byeong Hun An (@ByeongHunAn) February 11, 2024
Exactly. 16th hole is always loud so it works but other holes, 97% of the people are quite and 3% says some dumb stuff. It’s weird to hear stuff that I dont normally hear in other events. https://t.co/4DHXVcBENm
— Byeong Hun An (@ByeongHunAn) February 11, 2024
I think so. I didnt have to deal with it until the last few holes. Almost every other hole today
— Byeong Hun An (@ByeongHunAn) February 11, 2024
An got into it with some people on social media in posts that weren't suitable for print.
He wasn't the only golfer to express their frustration with the environment at the Open, which had been praised in previous years, but seemed to do off the deep end over the weekend.
Zach Johnson and Billy Horschel called out fans at the event, with Johnson saying: " I think the Thunderbirds probably need to do something about it. I'm assuming they're ashamed. Because at some point, somebody's either gonna really, really get hurt or worse."
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VOTE: Should the #WMPhoenixOpen stop selling alcohol? (How to solve #WMPO woes: https://t.co/0To3EgefAQ | Post backfires: https://t.co/L0c6tYP9FK | Drunk fans reaction: https://t.co/bB6aowKUeK | Controversy: https://t.co/xgLNcZbiQ7)
— Jeremy Cluff (@Jeremy_Cluff) February 12, 2024
Others expressed their concern with fan antics at the Phoenix Open on social media:
It’s obvious 2023 was the high water mark for the WM Phoenix Open. By all means have a good time at the tournament, but not to the point where the fan’s behaviour has become the story. It’ll be interesting to see what this event looks like next year. pic.twitter.com/xH7F0yJfwp
— Luke Elvy (@Luke_Elvy) February 11, 2024
The Phoenix Open has massively jumped the shark this week. It has straddled a fine line for several years now, but how anybody can read all this (👇🏼) from the past few days and recognise it as a golf tournament is beyond me. Organisers have lost control. pic.twitter.com/VEozgmJAwX
— Michael McEwan (@MMcEwanGolf) February 11, 2024
WM Phoenix Open is great.
But if it keeps going in this direction, it’s gonna be tough to convince players to turn up every year..?
pic.twitter.com/y6gRgAlZWa— Mark Fox (@ThePluggedLie) February 11, 2024
Look, I’m all for having a good time and living it up, but this year’s Waste Management Phoenix Open is straight-up embarrassing. The event leaned into being the party tournament and now it’s completely off the rails.
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) February 11, 2024
They're going to have to put a stop to this, eventually. #PhoenixOpen
— THE John Henker 🌎☮🟦 (@JohnHenker_) February 11, 2024
🗣️ "They had to shut the bars because it was such a mess."
🗣️ "It was like being at Oxegen back in the day."
⛳️ The #PhoenixOpen caused quite a stir over the weekend @TeamOptimum | #TheresMoreOfYouInYou pic.twitter.com/WNVhHqMVGY— Off The Ball (@offtheball) February 12, 2024
Does it seem as if this year, the WM Phoenix Open has jumped the shark and gone from fun-boozey-golf event to obnoxious-drunk-harrassing-the-players tournament? I realize that it's a few that are likely ruining it for many.
— Bob Weeks (@BobWeeksTSN) February 11, 2024
It’s truly sad what the Waste Management Phoenix Open has become these days. https://t.co/tI8Qcce5np
— Ronald Head (@RonaldHead1989) February 10, 2024
What do you make of the fan antics at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open?
More: Nick Taylor steals 2024 WM Phoenix Open title after playoff with Charley Hoffman
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: WM Phoenix Open reaction: PGA Tour event fans 'totally out of control'
