image source, Getty Images
The win marks Taylor's fifth PGA Tour title.
|
WM Phoenix Open, final leaderboard |
|---|
|
-twenty one C. Hoffman (USA), N. Taylor (Canada) -18 S Schaeffler (USA, S Burns) -17 S Segala (USA) -14 J. Spieth (USA), M. McNeely (USA) |
Canadian Nick Taylor made a spectacular late surge to win the WM Phoenix Open playoffs in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Taylor, 35, birdied three of the remaining four holes and was tied with Charlie Hoffman at 21 under after the latter shot a 7-under 64 for the lead.
Both had birdies on the first extra hole, but when Hoffman missed on the second hole, Taylor sank an 11-foot birdie putt.
Troubles marred the rest of the tournament at notoriously loud PGA Tour events.
Alcohol sales were suspended on Saturday, and a man was arrested after jumping over the rope at the par-3 16th hole into a greenside bunker and performing a “snow angel” on the sand.
2023 Ryder Cup U.S. captains Zach Johnson and Billy Horschel previously exchanged angry words with spectators.
Mr Johnson was filmed arguing with a fan and could be heard saying “I'm sick of it” before asking the audience to “shut up”.
In another incident, Horschel was seen yelling at a spectator as one of his playing partners, qualifier Nicolo Galetti, was about to take a shot.
“Buddy, shut up when the shot is over,” Horschel yelled.
Former BMW PGA Championship winner Byung Hun Ahn said in a social media post that the tournament was “completely out of control on every hole.”
The incident is the latest in an event increasingly marred by rowdy behavior, particularly at the par-3 16th “Stadium Hall.”
At last year's tournament, a nearly naked spectator was arrested after walking around on the green and then jumping into a nearby pond.
Last time, fans routinely showered holes with drink bottles to reward good shots (one player was hit), while PGA Tour players Harry Higgs and Joel Dahmen took off their shirts. This pleased the fans who were yelling at him.
