Social Media Reacts: Sam Ryder and Carlos Ortiz make hole-in-ones on 16 at the Waste Management. Have your say; are these scenes good for golf?

Take an estimated 20,000 sports fans on a single par-3, the 16th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Add the hot sun and some cold ones plus the excitement of seeing not one but two aces on one of the most famous holes in the sport, and what do you have?

Depending on your perspective, it is either a great celebration that brings more fans to the game, or a mess of trash, damage and potential injuries.

“There’s beer everywhere,” exclaimed Colt Knost, a former PGA Tour player turned announcer. The scene, captured by many, shows cans and cups raining down on the course after both players aces.

Specifically Scottsdale Police Department might have been even more so in pulling off this amazing live shot of the instant classic and the crowd’s raucous reaction to the moment.

Another commentator said she was “covered in beer and other liquids,” after the hole-in-ones. Brian Harman, the last player in Ryder’s group, waited 15 minutes to hit his shot as a large crew of volunteers cleaned up trash from the fairway leading to the green, bunkers and the putting surface itself.

The hole is regularly the scene of craziness and enthusiasm, though the tour has tried to temper it in recent years. Players used to toss mementos into the crowd, but that was restricted in recent years over safety concerns. In past years, Canadian players like Mackenzie Hughes, for example, would put on a Maple Leaf jersey and fire items to spectators.

Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

But the latest scenes at the WM Phoenix Open has split social media. People either loved the energetic crowds’ reaction showing the world that golf can be a fun sport bringing people together to celebrate amazing feats

or felt the messy scene, potential injuries and damage to the course is harmful to the game.

 

Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

Regardless of your perspective, the 16th at the WM Phoenix Open remains one of the most fascinating annual scenes in golf.

What’s your take?

Is the 16th at the WM Phoenix Open showcase the game to sports fans that wouldn’t otherwise watch golf? Or does the scene, with cans thrown onto the course, do a disservice to the game?

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10 thoughts on “Social Media Reacts: Sam Ryder and Carlos Ortiz make hole-in-ones on 16 at the Waste Management. Have your say; are these scenes good for golf?”

  1. the scene at the 16th should not have taken place shows golf is no better than hockey game fans throwing junk on the ice it takes away the view of a great sports gone bad due to some idot fans

  2. Beer Can throwing drunks will do nothing for the image game or the major sponsor. I believe the sponsor WM a company that promotes drug testing for all their drivers to insure they protect their company and the public they serve should be embarrassed by this behavior and need to take action so this does happen again next year.

  3. My local course is packed enough. Don’t need any more yahoos coming through thinking a round should be like going out to the nighclub. Waste Mgmt can do what they want but if they stopped golfers from throwing items into the crowd for “safety” reasons, then I would think metal cans full of beer raining down from the stands should also be discouraged. Everything else about the hio celebrations were great to watch.

  4. I think the setup at the 16th hole, has potential for excitement like no other setup in golf. However, when you add liquor and that number of fans (17k+) at one hole, to the mix, you invite rowdiness, and uncontrollable emotions. Hopefully, the organizers will have better control over the situation next year.

  5. Stupid and dangerous! Love the party atmosphere but, some one will get hurt. Put up netting like that at NHL rinks only much taller to contain the beer can missiles.

  6. For the PGA to allow this to continue shows they don’t have an issue with deplorable behavior. As a faithful follower of the PGA this is the only tournament I don’t watch. I’ve never been a fan of putting the players in a fishbowl like that. I can’t see it doing anything positive for the game or image of the PGA, players or sponsors.

  7. I’m ALL for very enthusiastic golf crowds, but throwing dangerous objects out onto the golfing surface, needs to be ‘checked’….someone is going to get seriously injured. Of course, it wouldn’t surprise that WM has attendees to this stadium sign a ‘waiver’ of no responsibility or liability….it looks more like a ‘rave’ event NOT golf ! as MOST of us know it…

  8. I don’t really mind the loud cheering and the players have been able to deal with it, my problem is the safety issue with throwing beer cans and cups of beer. When the rowdy drunk crowds think this not enough what will they do, throw chairs. This has gone overboard.