Sports
The hecklers are targeting Rory McIlroy. His challenge is to resist golf’s unruly spectators
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Two thick, beefy strong boys with snug polos and holstered pistols walked, chests out, up to the area behind TPC Sawgrass’ 12th green Sunday. As they approached the hill, another security officer smiled at two of the day’s main characters.
“It’s the Bash Brothers!” the man joked.
The three of them waited behind the green in the moments before play restarted at the final round of the Players Championship after a four-hour weather delay halted what appeared to be Rory McIlroy’s runaway moment. By then, roughly two-thirds of the massive crowd understandably left, but the ones who decided to stay all day? They were there for Rory. His gallery remained full. As the van dropped off McIlroy to continue his round, the fans loudly chanted “Ro-ry! Ro-ry! Ro-ry!” They applauded as he birdied the hole to take a three-shot lead. Most of Ponte Vedra seemed to be pulling for McIlroy.
But that support was not why the Bash Brothers were there.
That nickname was earned, for all the hecklers the two police officers kicked out of the Players Championship that day. One or two officers follow every PGA Tour group all year to act as security for the game’s stars. It’s normal, making sure no unauthorized people get inside the ropes and the crowd doesn’t do anything out of line. Most days they won’t have a single issue.
But by the time McIlroy hit his approach from the 18th fairway, one of the Bash Brothers claimed to have kicked out 15 people at least. Because, for a very minuscule, annoying, yet loud minority, McIlroy is becoming a target for heckling right now. How he handles it will tell us so much.
As McIlroy approached the 18th tee Sunday, tied for the lead trying to win the tour’s marquee event, he looked around at the crowd. He scanned his head as if trying to take it all in. And that crowd rose up and roared for him.
Until one man shouted, “Hit it in the water, Rory!” The crowd groaned. It was isolated enough that McIlroy certainly heard it. No problem, as he launched an absolutely beautiful draw around the bended fairway along the water. By the end of the day, McIlroy was headed to a three-hole Monday playoff with J.J. Spaun, one he would win going away to claim his second Players.
But is it a challenge for McIlroy to tune those heckles out?
“Yeah, absolutely,” he admitted.
“But I think when you’re in business mode you’re just trying to keep your head down and stay in your own little world for the most part.”
McIlroy is not new to fame. And he’s not new to criticism. He’s one of the bigger lightning rods for discussion in the sport, and he’s heard (and historically laughed along with) every crack about his deflating losses in majors like the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst.
Until a week ago.
McIlroy was playing a Tuesday practice round when he hit his tee shot on 18 into the water and a young-ish fan shouted, “Just like 2011 at Augusta!” while his buddy filmed. McIlroy hit another tee shot, and before going to his ball he walked over to the fan, grabbed the friend’s phone that was filming and walked away. It turned out the guy who yelled this was Texas golfer Luke Potter, who won the amateur tournament in town just days earlier. That only added to the bizarre nature of the incident. Security kicked Potter and his friend out, but a third party filmed the incident, posted it online and it went viral.
Seeing McIlroy react that way was surprising, and perhaps it shed light on a deeper insecurity of McIlroy. He can joke and laugh about Pinehurst. Maybe even the 2022 Open Championship or the 2023 U.S. Open. But that 2011 Masters when he led by four shots and shot a Sunday 80 to finish 10 back? That’s the big one.
That reaction is human. It is relatable.
There’s just one problem. The reaction encouraged the masses. Or at least a particular segment of it. It’s why the Bash Brothers had such a busy day. Perhaps even more interestingly, it’s why there was such a short leash to kick those people out.
Caddy Harry Diamond, left, advised a pair of security guards to throw out multiple hecklers during McIlroy’s round Sunday. (Richard Heathcote / Getty Images)
As McIlroy walked to Sawgrass’ famous island 17th green, one fan yelled “2011 Augusta, Rory!” McIlroy’s caddie, Harry Diamond, called the Bash Brothers over and the fan was taken away.
We don’t know what led to each anecdotal example, so we can’t be sure how bad each one was. We just know a good deal of them happened. The PGA Tour has in its code of conduct specific rules related to fan behavior, and it takes a firm zero-tolerance policy when it comes to things like heckling. Specifically, it makes clear you are at risk of expulsion, for “rude, vulgar or other inappropriate comments or gestures or any words or actions,” including “verbal or physical harassment of players, caddies, volunteers, officials, staff, guests and/or spectators.”
The tour doesn’t appear to have an overall fan problem. There was concern when gambling was legalized that it would lead to severe issues with spectators attempting to shout during backswings or otherwise affect results. The tour hasn’t seen that happen, other than some pleading with a player to win their bet or complaining that they lost it (which is indeed a problem but not too dramatic of one).
Most events go on with no issue, but we also live in a new era of social media where it’s common for some to revel in the chance to get a reaction and gain some attention by posting it online. That reaction is everything. And while maybe 40 years ago nobody would know it even happened, it now has the chance to go viral and be seen by the world.
That’s why Tuesday’s practice round incident was so consequential. For that minuscule minority, McIlroy provided a target. The 2011 Masters at Augusta. It’s now his exhaust port in the Death Star — hecklers know they can hit it and watch it go boom. Diamond being the one to call security over for a dumb but generally innocuous comment (“2011 Augusta, Rory!”) only confirmed it.
Because yes, the tour has its code of conduct, but it’s generally the players or their caddies who act on it. Many players ignore any stupidity, and then it goes away. McIlroy generally always had.
We’re seeing what happens when you flinch. At Torrey Pines last month, a fan told McIlroy to blame his caddie, Diamond, for a missed put. McIlroy, always quick to defend Diamond, told the fan to “shut the f—k up.”
Former U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson got heckled by rowdy spectators at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open for the U.S. loss in Rome, and he went over and argued with them. That went viral, of course. So two months later at the Masters — the one place “patrons” are supposedly so well behaved — Johnson made a mess of the 12th hole and heard sarcastic cheers. A hot mic caught Johnson turning and yelling, “Oh, f—k off.” He’s now perhaps the most consistent target for heckling in golf.
Before that it was Bryson DeChambeau, a top target during his feud with Brooks Koepka. After a painful playoff loss to Patrick Cantlay at the 2021 BMW Championship, a fan yelled the taunt, “Great job, Brooksie!” and DeChambeau lost it. “You know what? Get the f–k out!” DeChambeau yelled.
Things were so bad once for Colin Montgomerie that Golf Digest made buttons. (Stuart Franklin / Getty Images)
It’s not all recent. Take Colin Montgomerie. Back in the early 2000s, he had become such a target for heckling in the U.S. that it got to him. They called him “Mrs. Doubtfire” and made fun of his figure. And he reacted. It bothered him so much he threatened to boycott U.S. events. So at the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black, Golf Digest made 25,000 buttons to handout reading “Be Nice To Monty.”
The point for McIlroy is that these kinds of comments will now continue. The through line on all of this is that spectators pile on when they know they can make you mad. Immaturity, alcohol and/or comedic laziness lead to a lot of generic dudes thinking they’re clever when repeating the same lines. That stinks, the same way somebody yelling “Mashed potatoes!” after a tee shot or “Get in the hole” on an approach gets old fast.
The vast majority of fans sincerely love McIlroy. Maybe that’s difficult to remember when the negativity stands out. McIlroy is playing the best overall golf in the world. He won his sixth DP World Tour championship in December. He won at Pebble Beach last month. Add in a huge Players win Sunday. This could be McIlroy’s moment.
Yet people aren’t going to suddenly change. And each ejected fan or viral video of an angry reaction only provides more fuel to the fire, and the comments will continue. The Ryder Cup is coming, in New York of all places. All the power to him if that’s how he wants to react, but the test will be how he plays in response.
Sunday, he did let Spaun come back from a three-shot deficit to force a playoff. Then again, as the fan yelled “Hit it in the water” on 18, McIlroy hit one of the prettier shots you can hit. Which response he channels more will tell us everything about his 2025.
(Top photo: Richard Heathcote / Getty Images)
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
New details have emerged surrounding the arrest of former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who is facing two misdemeanor charges following a run-in with law enforcement just days ahead of the NFL Draft.
Branch, who is a projected second-round pick, was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, Georgia, and charged with two counts of obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Nov. 28, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
He was released after more than two hours in jail after posting $39 in bonds.
The NFL Network obtained the police report from Branch’s arrest, which described an encounter over an alleged sidewalk incident with law enforcement, in which police alleged that the former Bulldogs star failed “to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands.”
“A male, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move. I continued to give Zacharia Branch verbal commands to move from blocking the sidewalk and advised that if he did not, he would receive a citation for blocking the sidewalk,” the excerpt from the report read.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
TOP NFL DRAFT PICK ZACHARIAH BRANCH ARRESTED IN GEORGIA ON TWO MISDEMEANOR CHARGES
“Zacharia Branch smirked, then stepped backwards and to the right, then remained standing upon the public sidewalk, so as to obstruct, hinder, and impede free passage upon the sidewalk as well as impede free ingress/egress to or from the adjacent places of business,” the report continued.
“Due to those actions and Zacharia Branch’s failure to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands, he was placed under arrest for misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and received a citation for Obstructing Public Sidewalks.”
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates with wide receiver Colbie Young after scoring a touchdown against Ole Miss during the Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2026. (IMAGN)
Branch transferred after two seasons at Southern California and immediately became quarterback Gunner Stockton’s favorite target. He finished the season with a team-high 811 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
His status as a projected second-round pick was bolstered after an impressive showing at the combine, where he clocked a 4.35-second 40-yard dash.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
For two-thirds of Sunday’s Long Beach Grand Prix, Alex Palou bided his time … waiting for the one break he needed.
It came in the form of a caution on the 58th lap, allowing him to overtake front-runner Felix Rosenqvist exiting pit lane and hold the lead the rest of the way, taking the checkered flag by 3.96 seconds for his third triumph in five IndyCar Series races this season and his first at Long Beach.
Right after being showered with applause and confetti at victory lane, the 29-year-old Spaniard thanked his crew, whose quick work on the last pit stop proved to be the difference.
“Everyone was coming in on that yellow and they did an incredible job,” he said. “We were either going to win it or not win right there.”
Rosenqvist settled for second and Scott Dixon, Palou’s Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, was third.
It was the 11th win over the last 22 races dating to 2024 for the Barcelona native and the 22nd win of his career, tying Tony Bettenhausen and Emerson Fittipaldi. It also vaulted Palou to the top of the series standings as he chases his fourth series championship in a row and fifth overall. Palou won the opener March 1 in St. Petersburg (also a street course) and the fourth race March 29 in Alabama.
Palou led for only 32 of the 90 laps Sunday and acknowledged it would have been difficult to catch Rosenqvist if not for the stoppage.
“I wasn’t giving up but it would’ve been tough to get him today,” Palou acknowledged. “He was already three seconds ahead. I was happy with my car but I was struggling more on the soft tires than the hards so I’d say my chances were low. The feeling was great seeing all the open space coming out of pit lane because when you spend 60 laps behind a car it disturbs you. I tried to match him on soft tires but it wasn’t working.”
Alex Palou speeds through a curve of the track.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
In six starts at Long Beach, Palou never has finished lower than fifth.
There is little room to maneuver on the 1.968-mile course with 11 tight turns, but after starting in the third position next to defending champion Kyle Kirkwood, Palou managed to sneak past Pato O’Ward into second place heading into the first turn on Lap 2.
“Making that move on the straightaway was big because I knew it was one of our only chances to get a pass on Pato,” Palou said. “I got that good run on that last corner and he didn’t expect it.”
This year marked the 51st edition of the longest-running major street race in North America, which started in 1975 as part of the Formula 5000 Series, switched to the CART/Champ Car World Series in 1984 and joined the IndyCar Series in 2009.
The top four qualifiers started on softer, high-grip “alternate” tires to establish position while the rest of the grid started on harder, more durable “primaries” to manage degradation on the 110-degree track surface. Of the 25 starters, 24 completed the 177.12 miles.
“We were going to make the two-stop strategy work but didn’t know if it would be doable or not,” Palou added. “As soon as I saw I couldn’t get Felix it was all about patience, fuel and waiting for the right time. I owe this win to my team. Without that pit stop I probably wouldn’t be sitting here now. It only takes one mistake to go from second to seventh, but they’re great under pressure.”
Cars make their way down a straightaway during Long Beach Grand Prix.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Past winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden moved into the top two positions after Rosenqvist pitted, but the Swede regained the lead when Newgarden pitted for the first time on Lap 37 and dropped back to 14th.
The first 45 laps were caution-free as Rosenqvist, Palou, Kirkwood, David Malukas and O’Ward held the top five spots. Newgarden’s chances declined upon discovering a flat spot on his left front tire, and he dropped back to 14th.
Rosenqvist’s three-second lead was erased when debris on the track exiting the Aquarium Fountain drew the only yellow flag all afternoon and narrowed the gap. Capitalizing on favorable pit position, Palou emerged from the lane just ahead of Rosenqvist.
Rosenqvist. who won the pole position with a lap time of 1 minute 7.4625 seconds in qualifying, had mixed emotions as the runner-up after leading for 51 laps with no win to show for it.
“You want to win when you have an opportunity, but I’m proud of today,” Rosenqvist said.
“We weren’t as good as Alex on the blacks … the last pit cycle was the defining moment. We had to come around 14, he had more of an opening, and his crew nailed it. That happens.”
Kirkwood, who was vying for his third win in four years, finished right where he started in fourth.
“I had a good cushion and figured even with a bad stop I’d probably stay ahead but I knew there’d probably be a yellow at some point and there it came,” Rosenqvist lamented. “Considering Alex had primary [tires], also I think we would’ve been able to hold him off. It’s definitely disappointing when you can’t wrap it up.”
Dixon, who started in the sixth position, was third and earned his first podium this season and the 136th of his career.
Fans watch with two laps left in the race.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
“The race itself was a bit blah — I sat in the same position for most of it,” Dixon said. “Luckily for us we had it easy out of that last stop.”
Al Unser Jr. holds the record for most wins at Long Beach, chalking up six in eight years, including an unmatched four in a row from 1988 to 1991.
Tom Sargent is becoming a fan of street circuits after two wins this weekend. Driving the Porsche 911 Cup for GMG Racing in the Mobil Pro Class, the 22-year-old Australian led from start to finish in Race 1 of the Carrera Cup North America on Saturday. In Race 2 on Sunday morning, he again started from the pole and claimed a 0.965-second victory over Aaron Jeansonne to complete the double.
In his last bid at Long Beach three years ago, he hit the wall on Lap 2 but still finished second.
“Momentum in sports is critical and the past few weeks have been really cool for me,” Sargent said. “I didn’t do any street circuit racing before I came to the States. Maybe it fits my driving style.”
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
LAS VEGAS – Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio were once brothers in arms in the Judgment Day. The two helped the faction run “Monday Night Raw” for several years.
As championships and opportunities came and went, the rift between Balor and Mysterio grew. It came to a head when Balor caused Mysterio to lose the Intercontinental Championship to Penta. Balor leaving the Judgment Day left Mysterio and Liv Morgan as the leaders with JD McDonagh, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez sticking around.
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The latter four chose to ride with Mysterio and attacked Balor on one episode of Raw.
The bitter war led to a match Sunday night at WrestleMania 42. To make matters more interesting, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce made the match a street fight hours before the show was set to begin.
Balor had vowed to bring the “Demon” out and he certainly did.
JACOB FATU PUTS DREW MCINTYRE IN THE ‘REAR VIEW’ IN UNSANCTIONED MATCH AT WRESTLEMANIA 42
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Balor made his way to the ring in his “Demon” gear, dripping with red and black paint. Mysterio was in a mask with other Mysterio supporters.
The two then proceeded to beat the crud out of each other.
Mysterio wrapped Balor’s head in between a chair and hit a 619 on him. He tried to pin Balor, but to no avail. At another point, Mysterio tossed Balor through a table set up in the corner.
As many have learned, it’s hard to keep your demons down. Mysterio learned the hard way.
Balor would not give up. Balor clotheslined Mysterio, hit him with a chair multiple times before wrapping his head in between the chair and drop-kicking him into the corner. Balor put Mysterio onto a table and hit the Coup de Grâce for the win.
Dominik Mysterio is introduced before his match against Finn Balor during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Balor excised his own demons, while Mysterio is still haunted.
-
News28 minutes agoThe Onion has agreed to a new deal to take over Infowars
-
New York2 hours agoGotti Grandson Is Sentenced to 15 Months for Covid Relief Fraud
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoWhy a Detroit family’s $300 brick repair job turned into a fraud investigation
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoSea lion pup found in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset malnourished but ‘feisty’
-
Dallas, TX3 hours agoDallas Cowboys 2026 NFL Draft debate heats up
-
Miami, FL3 hours agoMan arrested in Miami for alleged sexual battery on 10-year-old girl – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale
-
Boston, MA3 hours agoFormer BYU star Clayton Young crushes lifetime best in Boston — on short notice
-
Denver, CO3 hours agoColorado boasts two of the best coffee shops in the Americas, according to new ranking